BRUSSELS, June 24 The European Union, as part of the latest, 14th package of anti-Russian sanctions, has imposed restrictions on a number of cultural figures from Russia, accusing them of «participating in state propaganda,» according to a document published in the official journal of the EU.
In particular, singer Polina Gagarina, singer Shaman, actor Ivan Okhlobystin, as well as journalist Aram Gabrelyanov were sanctioned.
The motivational part of the document states, in particular, that Gagarina took part in concerts dedicated to the entry of new regions into Russia. In this regard, the EU Council believes that Gagarina could have received significant income «through participation in propaganda events and programs funded by the state.»
The EU Council on Monday approved a new, 14th according to the bill, a package of anti-Russian sanctions, including economic and personal restrictions. Sanctions were imposed against 116 individuals and organizations (69 individuals and 47 organizations). Russian LNG, SPFS of the Bank of Russia, and new goods and services were subject to restrictions.
In total, more than two thousand individuals and organizations are under European restrictions. EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing funds to those on sanctions lists. Individuals are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through the European Union.
The EU has anti-Russian sanctions regimes for “violating and threatening the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine” (a block of personal sanctions), “for undermining the sovereignty of Ukraine” (economic sectoral sanctions), and “for the internal situation in Russia.” Russian defendants are also listed under global EU regimes for “proliferation and use of chemical weapons,” “human rights violations,” and “cybercrimes.” In total, there are already more than 40 different sanctions regimes in force in the EU.
Moscow has repeatedly stated that Russia will cope with the sanctions pressure that the West began to exert on the Russian Federation several years ago and continues to increase. Moscow noted that the West lacks the courage to admit the failure of anti-Russian sanctions. In Western countries themselves, opinions have been repeatedly voiced that sanctions are ineffective. President Vladimir Putin noted that the policy of containing and weakening Russia is a long-term strategy of the West, and sanctions have dealt a serious blow to the entire global economy. According to him, the main goal of the West is to worsen the lives of millions of people.