The EU expands the sanctions list for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and Belarus. It affects politicians and institutions connected to the Kremlin.
- EU foreign ministers approved new sanctions against Russia for child deportations.
- The sanctions concern sixteen individuals and seven entities associated with deportations.
- Ukraine estimates that approximately twenty thousand children were illegally taken to Russia and Belarus.
European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday to impose new sanctions on 16 individuals and seven entities in Russia “for the systematic illegal deportation” of Ukrainian children. TASR informs about it.
“The decision targets those responsible for systematic illegal deportation, forced transfers and forced assimilation, including indoctrination and militarized education of Ukrainian minors, as well as their illegal adoption and transfer to the Russian Federation and temporarily occupied territories,” the EU Council said in a statement.
Allegations of deportations
Ukraine says around 20,000 children have been illegally sent to Russia and Belarus, where in some cases they are subjected to military training and forced to fight against their own country’s army.
In connection with the deportations and forcible relocation of children, the commission of inquiry established by the UN in March of this year accused Moscow of committing a crime against humanity. Moscow denies taking the children against their will and says people are evacuating voluntarily to get away from the war zone.
Asset freezes and bans
Entities included in the sanctions list include federal institutions linked to the Russian Ministry of Education. Among the individuals are, for example, politicians or representatives of the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.
Persons included on the sanctions list will have their assets frozen and will be banned from traveling to EU countries. Citizens and companies from the EU will be prohibited from providing them with funds or other economic resources.
