With so-called "referendums, Russia wants to annex four occupied territories in Ukraine. The illegal step will have "consequences for everyone involved in the organization," the EU threatens and is fine-tuning sanctions.
The European Union wants to impose sanctions on those responsible for the so-called referendums in the Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine. The spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, Peter Stano, said in Brussels that "there will be consequences for everyone involved in organizing these illegal referenda". Voting is expected to end later today.
According to diplomats, those responsible for the "referendums" on the annexation of four Ukrainian regions to Russia are to be included on the EU's sanctions list. They are threatened with entry bans, and their assets in Europe will be frozen. The sanctions list already includes more than 1,200 responsible persons in Russia and Belarus.
Stano emphasized that the member states have the last word on sanctions. An official proposal from the EU Commission for the tightening of sanctions is expected on Wednesday. Unanimity among the member states is required for a decision. Among other things, a price cap for Russian oil and an import ban for Russian diamonds are under discussion.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak announced that Ukrainians who supported the Russians in the referendums would be tried for treason. They face a prison sentence of at least five years. "We have lists of names of people who were involved in some way," Podoliak said.
