What EU Sanctions Mean for Nefarious Russian Interference


 

While much of the U.S. focused on its upcoming Presidential election in October, the EU and U.S. sanctioned Russian leadership for numerous offenses. On August 20th, Russian dissident, Alexei Navalny, was poisoned with the chemical weapon Novichok. Navalny fell ill on a Russian domestic flight and was later transferred to a German hospital to recover. Novichok, the military-grade chemical nerve agent, is only accessible to the Russian government, according to Navalny, and reported by correspondents on international news.


EU Formally Sanctions Six Russian Leaders for its Role in Poisoning Dissident

In response, the EU revealed sanctions on October 15th in the form of asset freezes and travel bans for six senior Russian officials, including Aleksander Bortnikov, Russian Director of its Federal Security Service. Others designated include senior Kremlin officials, Sergei Kiriyenko and Andrei Yarin, and Presidential representative, Sergei Menyaylo, demonstrating the EU believes that the attempted assassination was carried out with President Vladimir Putin's knowledge, if not consent. Additionally, Aleksei Krivoruchko and Pavel Popov, deputy defense ministers, were also sanctioned for not destroying their chemical weapons stockpiles as previously agreed. Interestingly, Brussels did not designate anti-corruption sanctions despite Navlany's role as an anti-corruption investigator and his reports.

Additional Sanctions for Other Russian Transgressions

Only one week later, on October 22nd, the EU imposed additional sanctions on Russia's military intelligence chief, Igor Kostyukov, for ordering the 2015 hack on German Parliament during which Angela Merkel's emails were stolen. Dmitry Badin was also sanctioned and identified as the actor who carried out the hack. In addition to Merkel's emails, other emails and data were also stolen. Badin was formerly implicated in the alleged hacking of the 2016 U.S. election.

The New York Times reports that Russia was accused of interfering with the 2017 French elections, and more recently, in the 2020 Belarus election. In fact, Russia's cyberattacks have been so aggressive and consistent that U.S. officials expressed concern over their potential interference in the 2020 U.S. Presidential election back in October. Both Belarus and U.S. voters opined suspicions of fraud, which have wreaked chaos in the wake of each election.

On October 23rd, the U.S. imposed its own sanctions on Russia’s State Research Center of the Russian Institute of Chemistry and Mechanics for its role in yet another cyber attack on a Saudi oil company, Petro Rabigh, back in 2017. The attack was part of a large-scale attack against Middle East oil companies and at least 20 electric and energy companies in the U.S. The attacks had the ability to cause substantial loss of life by shutting down the safety systems that prevent explosions. Had it not been for a mistake in the code that instead shut down an entire plant, an explosion may well have happened. Sanctions on aggressive countries are necessary for response to their aggressive acts.

What Impact Will Sanctions Have?

The numerous sanctions imposed on Russian officials and organizations are meant to curb its ability to expand its power, cause chaos, and inflict harm through its international operations. Designated individuals and groups now have assets frozen and cannot travel or engage in trade with the countries abiding by the sanctions. France and Germany encouraged the move, and the EU is encouraging others to follow suit. This does not sit well with Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, who threatened to cease communication with the EU and the West.

Russia's Responds With Threats to Halt Communications

For its part, Russia flatly denies any involvement with Navalny's poisoning and called for those who carried out the testing to provide proof. According to foreign policy experts, Russia denies involvement in the other allegations contained in this report, which is typical of their response to most allegations, proof or otherwise. At least one voice on national security believes that Russia is so vocal in the wake of recent sanctions because its natural gas line through Germany may be at risk. In fact, it should be.

Now is the time to increase Russia's pressure amidst its human rights infractions and nefarious cyberattacks meant to extend its power and cause global disruption. The U.S. and EU member countries can dial up the pressure by formally condemning Navalny's poisoning, adding sanctions, and standing against the Russian aggressor.

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