EU prepares sanctions against 77 candidates in Russia's State Duma vote in occupied Ukrainian territories
The European External Action Service presented a draft sanctions list against 77 candidates who ran in Russia's 2026 State Duma elections in occupied Ukrainian territories. Approval is planned for the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on October 12.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) presented a new draft sanctions list on Wednesday, September 23, at a meeting of the EU's Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper). The list targets 77 people who ran as candidates in Russia's 2026 State Duma elections in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.
The outlet "Yevropeiska Pravda" reported the development, citing diplomatic sources in Brussels. According to the information obtained, the list falls under the EU's sanctions regime aimed at protecting Ukraine's territorial integrity.
Following the presentation, technical preparation of the list for approval will begin. EU member state ambassadors in Brussels are expected to return to the matter in early October, with formal approval planned for the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on October 12.
Previous decisions
A day before the new draft was presented, the EU extended restrictive measures against those responsible for undermining or threatening Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence for another 36 months. However, two Russian oligarchs, Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, were removed from the list.
Separately, on September 16, the European Commission proposed a new package of individual sanctions against Russia's military-industrial complex, covering 1,576 entries.
