The sanctions target individuals and organizations that the EU considers to be cooperating in undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine. Approximately 2,600 persons and entities are listed on the sanctions list.
The measures include travel bans for individuals on the sanctions list, preventing them from traveling to European Union countries.
Reopening
In addition, financial assets of the involved individuals and organizations within the European Union have been frozen. In the recent review, EU countries decided to remove two persons from the sanctions list.
Promotion
At the same time, the EU declared its determination to maintain and intensify pressure on Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that the European pressure to reopen the Druzhba oil pipeline, which transports Russian crude oil, amounts to "blackmail."
Growing conflict
There is a growing energy conflict with Hungary and Slovakia, which is also blocking further expansion of the sanction package against Moscow. This package includes measures targeting the Russian shadow fleet to reduce Russian energy revenues that finance the war in Ukraine.
The Soviet-era pipeline, which transports Russian oil through Ukraine to those two countries, has been out of operation since a Russian attack on January 27. Kiev is postponing repairs, arguing that they cannot be safely carried out while bombardments continue.
Elections
Moscow-friendly Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is using the disruption of Russian oil supplies in the campaign for next month's parliamentary elections. His conservative-nationalist Fidesz party risks being defeated by a pro-European opposition party with a popular rival candidate. In light of this, Zelensky and many EU politicians are reluctant to hand Orbán any victories.