Explainers

The EU can impose sanctions on individuals and entities in response to human rights abuses and violations worldwide.

The EU has actively supported international efforts to achieve peace and stability in Sudan since the beginning of the war in 2023. The EU and its member states together are the biggest donor of humanitarian aid to Sudan.

The EU can impose sanctions to deter and respond to cyber-attacks which constitute an external threat to the EU or its member states.

Following the military coup on 1 February 2021, and the subsequent military and police repression against peaceful demonstrators, the EU has drastically increased sanctions against Myanmar.

The EU has imposed extensive sanctions against Belarus in response to human rights abuses, Belarus' support for Russia's war against Ukraine, and its hybrid attacks against the EU.

The EU is taking action to end Russian energy imports and reduce its energy dependency, while maintaining stable energy supplies and prices across Europe.

The EU stands in support of the Belarusian people. It condemns human rights abuses in Belarus, Belarus' hybrid attacks against the EU and its involvement in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement aims to ensure that Iran's nuclear programme will be exclusively peaceful. It lays down the timeline and arrangements for the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions against Iran.

Sanctions are an instrument to prevent conflict or respond to emerging or current crises, and to promote peace, democracy, respect for the rule of law, human rights and international law.