EU response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine
The EU and its member states stand united in their unwavering support for Ukraine and its people, and firmly condemn Russia’s military aggression.
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EU adopts 15th package of sanctions against Russia
On 16 December 2024, the Council adopted the 15th package of sanctions against Russia. The new measures weaken Russia's military and industrial complex and address the circumvention of sanctions through targeting Putin's shadow fleet.
The EU has also sanctioned 54 individuals and 30 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
What does the EU say about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine?
The EU and its member states strongly condemn Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. They also condemn Belarus' involvement in Russia's military aggression.
Since February 2022, the European Council and the Council of the European Union have been meeting regularly to discuss the situation in Ukraine from different perspectives.
The European Council reiterates its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirms its continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
European Council conclusions, 19 December 2024
EU leaders demanded repetedely that Russia immediately cease its military actions, unconditionally withdraw all forces and military equipment from Ukraine and fully respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.
They emphasised the right of Ukraine to choose its own destiny and commended the people of Ukraine for their courage in defending their country.
In response to the military aggression, the EU has massively expanded sanctions against Russia, by adding a significant number of persons and entities to the sanctions list, and by adopting unprecedented restrictive measures.
The EU has shown unity and strength and has provided Ukraine with humanitarian, political, financial and military support.
The European Council reconfirms the European Union’s unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed. Russia must not prevail.
European Council conclusions, 19 December 2024
The EU is committed to continue to show solidarity and provide support to the refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine and the countries hosting them. It is also coordinating with partners and allies, within the UN, OSCE, NATO and the G7.
On several occasions, the European Council condemned Russia’s indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and urged Russia to stop the systematic missile strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
EU leaders underlined that Russia, Belarus and all those responsible for war crimes and the other most serious crimes will be held to account for their actions in accordance with international law.
Latest European Council conclusions:
What measures has the EU taken against Russia?
Individual and economic sanctions
The EU has adopted massive and unprecedented sanctions in response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the illegal annexation of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine.
The measures are designed to weaken Russia's economic base, deprive it of critical technologies and markets and significantly curtail its ability to wage war.
The EU is closely coordinating its actions with its partners and allies, including NATO, G7, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, South Korea and Australia.
- Timeline - Packages of sanctions against Russia since February 2022
- Sanctions against Russia
- Sanctions against Russia explained
In this context, the EU has also adopted sanctions against Belarus, Iran and North Korea in response to those countries' involvement in the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Violation of sanctions added to list of EU crimes
Currently, member states have different definitions of what constitutes a violation of restrictive measures and what penalties should be applied in the event of such a violation. This could lead to:
- different degrees of enforcement of sanctions
- a risk of these measures being circumvented
This is why, on 28 November 2022, the Council adopted a decision to add the violation of restrictive measures to the list of ‘EU crimes’ included in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
On 12 April 2024, the Council adopted new rules to make sure that the violation of restrictive measures is criminalised.
The law defines what conduct constitutes a criminal offence and the appropriate penalties.
- criminal offences include: helping people to bypass an EU travel ban, trading sanctioned goods or running transactions with those hit by EU restrictive measures
- dissuasive penalties: penalties vary depending on the offence but should be effective, proportionate and dissuasive
- stricter enforcement: member states will be required to step up their efforts to make sure EU sanctions are respected
Suspension of visa facilitation
The Council adopted a decision that fully suspends the visa facilitation agreement between the EU and Russia. Consequently, the general rules of the visa code will apply to Russian citizens. This will result in:
- an increase in the visa application fee from €35 to €80
- the need to present additional documentary evidence
- increased visa processing times
- more restrictive rules for the issuance of multiple-entry visas
The decision entered into force on the day of its adoption and applies as of 12 September 2022.
Non-acceptance of Russian travel documents issued in Ukraine
On 8 December 2022, the Council adopted a decision on the non-acceptance of Russian travel documents issued in Ukraine and Georgia.
This decision is a response to Russia’s practice of issuing Russian international passports to residents of the occupied regions. It also follows Russia’s unilateral decision to recognise the independence of the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008.
Russian travel documents issued in, or to persons resident in, Russian-occupied regions in Ukraine or breakaway territories in Georgia will not be accepted as valid travel documents for obtaining a visa or crossing the borders of the Schengen area.
How is the EU supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people?
The EU and its citizens stand in full solidarity with Ukraine and its people. The EU has taken unprecedented measures to support Ukraine and its people. Measures include:
- economic and financial assistance
- humanitarian aid
- civil protection support
- military support
- reception of refugees through the EU temporary protection mechanism
- support in the investigation and prosecution of war crimes
- support in the reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine
How has the EU responded to the market impact of the war?
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has had a disruptive effect on global markets. World prices for key commodities such as fuels and fertilisers skyrocketed in 2022.
The war has caused uncertainty about the security of the energy supply in the EU. Russia's attacks on crops and transport infrastructure have hampered Ukraine's ability to export its agri-food production, which has further aggravated the global food crisis.
Energy crisis
EU countries have stood united in their response to increasing energy prices and threats to the EU's energy security. The emergency measures adopted by the Council to ensure a sufficient and affordable energy supply have helped calm the markets. The price of gas, which reached an unprecedented peak in August 2022, is now relatively stable.
EU coordinated measures have focused on:
- diversifying energy supplies and their routes
- securing gas in national reserves
- reducing energy bills for citizens and businesses
- enhancing solidarity among EU countries
- preventing price spikes
- moving faster towards cleaner energy
EU countries are shifting away from Russian fossil fuels with gas imports from Russia going from 40% of the total imports in 2021 to 15% in 2023. The EU is moving fast towards cleaner energy and autonomy.
Where does the EU's gas come from? (infographic)
Food security
EU countries have responded to the global food crisis by:
- providing emergency relief to those most in need
- helping developing countries make their food production more sustainable
- supporting open and barrier-free trade
- collaborating closely with global partners
Thanks to the so-called solidarity lanes facilitated by the EU, millions of tonnes of grain and oilseed have been exported from Ukraine since May 2022. Food gets to countries in need in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
How the Russian invasion of Ukraine has further aggravated the global food crisis (infographic)