DISINFO: WTO has shown its weakness by not oppossing the illegal sanctions against Russia
SUMMARY
The World Trade Organisation's role is rapidly diminishing as it fails to oppose the destructive policy of imposing new sanctions on several countries. This is occurring against a backdrop of complete economic and legal lawlessness.
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 sanctions on Russia, introduced by the US and the EU, do not violate WTO 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 in accordance with 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 in view 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 in accordance with 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 more about the EU response and support for Ukraine. See our guide to deciphering pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's war.