Russia
On February 23, 2026, the Council of the European Union imposed restrictive measures on eight individuals responsible for serious human rights violations, the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Russia.
The new listings target members of the judiciary—two judges, one prosecutor, and one investigator—involved in politically motivated trials responsible for sentencing Russian activists Dmitry Skurikhin and Oleg Belousov on politically motivated charges.
Furthermore, the measures target the heads of penal colonies and a pre-detention center, where political prisoners Aleksei Gorinov, Pavel Kushnir, Mikhail Kriger, and journalist Maria Ponomarenko, who spoke out against Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and criticized Putin’s regime, were held and kept in solitary confinement and inhuman and degrading conditions.
The individuals designated are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them.
These sanctions reflect the EU's ongoing commitment to addressing human rights violations and supporting civil society in Russia. They also underscore the use of targeted measures against individuals deemed responsible for undermining democratic principles and human rights.
For Russian citizens, particularly those involved in civil society and opposition movements, these sanctions may be seen as international support for their cause. However, they could also lead to increased tensions between Russia and the EU, potentially affecting diplomatic relations and economic interactions.
