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Strong EU response after Russia issues travel bans against eight prominent EU officials

30 April 2021

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Friday (30 April) new sanctions targeting eight European functionaries. The eight prominent European Union officials are no longer allowed to enter Russia. They include Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Vera Jourova, and President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli. The travel bans are also in response to previous sanctions imposed by the European Union.

The sanctions are in response to the EU sanctions in March on four senior Russian security functionaries for their role in the prosecution of the Russian activist Alexei Navalny.

"The European Union continues a policy of illegitimate, unilateral restrictive measures against Russian citizens and organizations. In March 2021 alone, six Russians were subjected to illegal EU restrictions," the ministry said in its statement. "Such actions by the European Union leave no doubt that their true goal is to restrict the development of our country at all costs." It also spoke of "anti-Russian hysteria."

EU functionaries from France, Germany, and the Baltic states are also on the sanction list. Among them are Berlin prosecutor, Jorg Raupach, and Swedish Head of Department of CBRN laboratory in Umea, Asa Scott. They helped establish last year that Navalny had been poisoned with the nerve poison Novichok.

EU Response

In a joint statement issued on Friday evening by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and the President of the European Parliament the EU strongly condemned Russia's actions and reserved the right to take appropriate measures in response to the Russian authorities' decision.

"This decision is the latest, striking demonstration of how the Russian Federation has chosen confrontation with the EU instead of agreeing to redress the negative trajectory of our bilateral relations."

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms today's decision of the Russian authorities to ban eight European Union nationals from entering the Russian territory. This includes the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli, Vice President of the European Commission Vera Jourova, as well as six EU Member States' officials. This action is unacceptable, lacks any legal justification and is entirely groundless. It targets the European Union directly, not only the individuals concerned."

Source: commonspace.eu with agencies

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Council of Europe launches new International Claims Commission for Ukraine

17 December 2025

Thirty-four countries and the European Union have signed a new convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine at a diplomatic conference co-hosted by the 46-nation Council of Europe and the Netherlands in the Hague. The diplomatic conference was attended by leaders and high-level representatives from over 50 states, including the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof. “Today marks a major step forward in ensuring accountability for Ukraine. The International Claims Commission represents justice and hope for tens of thousands of victims—our determination that those who have suffered will not be forgotten. I call for quick ratifications so we can get the commission rapidly up and running for the people of Ukraine,” said Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: “We expect that every mechanism for compensation from the Register of Damage and Claims Commission to the actual payments – will start working and receive strong and sufficient international support, so that people can truly feel that any kind of damage caused by the war can be compensated. This war, and Russia’s responsibility for it, MUST become a clear example – so that others learn not to choose aggression.” “Accountability is about creating the conditions for peace that endures. And therefore, accountability is a condition of security – today and for the future. But accountability is not only about Ukraine. And it is not only about one aggressor and one victim. Accountability is about Europe. About every country in Europe. It is about whether Europe, as a whole, is willing to defend its peace,” said Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, said: “Every day Russia is deliberately bombarding homes, destroying businesses and damaging infrastructure in Ukraine. Russia must compensate Ukraine for the damage caused. That is why we have launched the International Claims Commission for Ukraine and we are honoured to host it.” The International Claims Commission will be the second part of a comprehensive compensation mechanism related to Russia’s war of aggression, building on the existing Register of Damage for Ukraine. The claims commission will be established within the framework of the Council of Europe and will also be open to other countries. The Register of Damage for Ukraine, created in 2023, collects and records compensation claims submitted by individuals, organisations and public bodies in Ukraine. Forty-four states and the European Union have so far joined the Register, which has already received 86,000 claims. The International Claims Commission will review, assess and decide upon claims submitted to the Register of Damage for Ukraine and determine the amount of compensation, if any, which is due in each case. The convention establishing the commission will enter into force once it has been ratified by 25 signatories, as long as sufficient funds have been secured to support its initial work.

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