Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1563 of 28 July 2023 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (1), and in particular Article 14(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 17 March 2014, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 269/2014.

(2) The Union remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

(3) In its conclusions of 23 March 2023, the European Council reiterated the Union’s resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the United Nations Charter. The European Council also reiterated that the Union remains committed to maintaining and increasing collective pressure on Russia, including through possible further restrictive measures. The European Council also stated that the Union will intensify its work with partners to counter false Russian narratives and disinformation about the war.

(4) In the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Russian actors have conducted a digital information manipulation campaign named ‘RRN’ (Recent Reliable News) aiming at manipulating information and disseminating propaganda in support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. That campaign, in which government bodies or bodies affiliated to the Russian State have participated, relies on fake web pages usurping the identity of national media outlets and government websites as well as fake accounts on social media.

(5) In view of the gravity of the situation, the Council considers that seven persons and five entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014.

(6) Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 28 July 2023.

For the Council The President P. NAVARRO RÍOS

(1) OJ L 78, 17.3.2014, p. 6.