Security & Defense

#32026D0646Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/646 of 16 March 2026 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities

🇪🇺European Union··Other·Medium Impact·View source ↗

AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.

🇬🇧 English

This Council Decision adds four individuals to the EU sanctions list under the restrictive measures regime targeting Russia’s destabilising activities. The designated persons are Russian state-affiliated journalists and propagandists: Sergey Klyuchenkov (aka Sergey Mardan), Ernest Mackevicius, Graham Phillips, and Adrien Bocquet. They are sanctioned for actively spreading Russian propaganda and disinformation regarding the war against Ukraine, justifying attacks on civilians, calling for further violence and occupation of additional territories, and undermining Ukrainian identity and language. The listings take effect on 16 March 2026. The decision demonstrates the EU’s continued response to hybrid threats and information manipulation by the Russian government.

AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.

Key Changes

  • Addition of 4 natural persons to Annex I of Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 on 16.3.2026
  • Sergey Aleksandrovich KLYUCHENKOV (aka Sergey MARDAN) listed for spreading propaganda and calling for de-Ukrainisation and attacks on Baltic states
  • Ernest Gedrevich MACKEVICIUS listed for being leading anchor of Russian state TV spreading disinformation on Ukraine

+ 3 more changes with Pro

Obligations

What this law requires

high

Freeze all funds and economic resources owned, held or controlled by Sergey Aleksandrovich Klyuchenkov (aka Sergey Mardan, Sergey Leleka) effective 16 March 2026

Financial institutions, EU Member States, all persons and entities within EU jurisdiction
prohibition
high

Freeze all funds and economic resources owned, held or controlled by Ernest Gedrevich Mackevicius effective 16 March 2026

Financial institutions, EU Member States, all persons and entities within EU jurisdiction
prohibition
high

Freeze all funds and economic resources owned, held or controlled by Graham Williams Phillips effective 16 March 2026

Financial institutions, EU Member States, all persons and entities within EU jurisdiction
prohibition
high

Freeze all funds and economic resources owned, held or controlled by Adrien Bocquet effective 16 March 2026

Financial institutions, EU Member States, all persons and entities within EU jurisdiction
prohibition
high

Apply the restrictive measures listed in Annex I of Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 (as amended) to the four designated individuals as of the date of publication in the Official Journal of the European Union

EU Member States, competent national authorities
operational

Affected Parties

Sergey KlyuchenkovErnest Mackevicius+4 more…

Tags

EU sanctions,Russia,hybrid threats