EU Adopts New Sanctions Regime to Counter Threats to Moldova’s Sovereignty and Independence

The Council of the EU has adopted a new structure of targeted restrictive measures, which provides the possibility of imposing sanctions against persons responsible for supporting or carrying out actions that undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of Moldova.

This is stated in a statement to site Council, writes “European Truth”.

With the new framework, the EU will be able, for example, to impose sanctions against persons who obstruct or undermine the democratic political process, including the holding of elections, or who attempt to overthrow the constitutional order, including through acts of violence.

Future restrictive measures may also be directed against individuals who commit serious financial misconduct with respect to public funds and unauthorized export of capital, to the extent that they can control or seriously affect the activities of public authorities.

The sanctions will consist of an asset freeze and a ban on the provision of funds for individuals and entities, as well as a travel ban to the EU for individuals.

“As one of the countries most affected by the consequences of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, we are witnessing an increasing and ongoing attempt to destabilize Moldova. The new sanctions regime will enable us to continue to build Moldova’s resilience by targeting those who are trying to destabilize the country. This is an important political signal support for Moldova from the EU in the current difficult context,” said Josep Borrell, head of EU diplomacy.

It is noted that this basis for targeted restrictive measures was adopted at the request of Moldova.

Moldova earlier urged the European Union impose sanctions on politicians and oligarchs who help Russia destabilize the country. This happened against the background of the Kremlin’s revealed plan to destabilize the situation in the country, which included control over the political sphere, energy blackmail, and increased tension in Transnistria.

According to media reports, on the sanctions list there must be at least two names – Ilan Shor, founder and donor of the pro-Russian party of the same name, which is behind the anti-government protests, and Vlad Plahotniuc, a Moldovan oligarch who was accused of shadow influence on the Moldovan authorities.