THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particular Article 29 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 31 July 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/512/CFSP [Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (OJ L 229, 31.7.2014, p. 13).].

(2) The Union remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

(3) In its conclusions of 20 and 21 October 2022, the European Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the indiscriminate Russian missile and drone attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects and infrastructure in Kyiv and across Ukraine. Recalling the statement of 30 September 2022, and in line with the UN General Assembly Resolution of 12 October 2022, the European Council also reiterated its unequivocal condemnation and firm rejection of the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions and, as in the case of Crimea and Sevastopol, the Union will never recognise this illegal annexation. The European Council stated that Russia’s unilateral decisions deliberately violate the UN Charter and blatantly disregard the rules-based international order and the Union stands ready to continue to reinforce its restrictive measures against Russia.

(4) In view of the gravity of the situation it is appropriate to introduce further restrictive measures.