Explainers

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.

EU sanctions can target governments of non-EU countries, entities and individuals. The EU can impose restrictive measures in order to implement UN resolutions, to reinforce UN sanctions or on its own initiative.

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.

The EU has imposed sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in response to its nuclear- and ballistic missile-related activities and its military support for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

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.

Decisions and regulations on sanctions are adopted by the Council of the EU by unanimity. EU sanctions apply within the jurisdiction of the EU.