DISINFO: The EU has forced through yet another package of illegitimate sanctions
SUMMARY
The European Union has 'churned out' the 18th package of illegitimate restrictive measures. In this case, the word ‘churned out’ is not just a figure of speech, but reflects the gruelling process to which the EU member states condemn themselves every time in the vain hope of dealing a ‘crushing blow’ to the Russian economy. Once again, it has to be admitted that all such efforts are doomed to failure. Not only will they fail to have the expected effect, but they will also continue to exacerbate the already deplorable state of the EU economy.
RESPONSE
A recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative referring to what they call a Western policy of aggressive sanctions, framing them as unjustified illegal pressure.
The claim that EU sanctions against Russia are illegitimate and only harm the EU's economy is a common narrative used to downplay the impact of sanctions. However, the EU's sanctions against Russia are a coordinated response to Russia's actions, including the ongoing war in Ukraine.
This is part of what some experts have labelled Russia’s economic war propaganda, aimed at convincing the world about the futility of the sanctions against Russia and the need to remove them, as they only harm the countries imposing them. See also Inflation, stagflation, and spin – the Kremlin’s economic war propaganda.
The EU has reacted swiftly and strongly to Russia's unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine with unprecedented support to the country and with the largest sanctions packages in the Union's history.
The EU adopted the 18th package of sanctions on 18 July 2025 against Russia due to its illegal aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories.
The sanctions on Russia, introduced by the US and the EU, do not violate international law or any regulations, as they are an entirely legitimate mechanism. Sanctions are a key tool of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy.
The EU sanctions are legitimate restrictions imposed under both international and European law as a response to violations of legal norms, such as Russia’s actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The EU established the sanctions regime under its laws, specifically Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, "concerning restrictive measures because of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine."
The EU has the right to impose economic sanctions within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and by the principles of the United Nations Charter. Crucially, any such measures must strictly conform to European and international law. Other actors have the right to impose them under international law as well under certain conditions.
Through restrictive measures, the EU intervenes where appropriate to respond to emerging or current crises. EU sanctions are carefully targeted and designed to be proportionate to the objectives they seek to achieve. Moscow has falsely claimed that the EU sanctions are illegal ever since their imposition in 2014, following Russia's invasion, annexation, and ongoing occupation of Crimea.
For further reading, please consult the following links for the EU and US sanctions imposed on Russia.
Read other similar cases: The West breaks global order by sanctions and conflicts; Sanctions are part of the hybrid war against Russia; The EU adopted another package of illegitimate sanctions against Russia; sanctions have turned Russia into an economic super power; foreign firms that exited Russia are now lining up to return; Putin has shown Russia’s economic supremacy to the world; Russia became the World's 4th economic power thanks to the war in Ukraine; the Russian economy thrives despite EU sanctions; EU experts warn the European Commission: sanctions on Russia are self-harming.