Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/353 of 2 March 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine
Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/353of 2 March 2022implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of UkraineTHE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of UkraineOJ L 78, 17.3.2014, p. 6., and in particular Article 14(1) thereof,Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,Whereas:(1)On 17 March 2014, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 269/2014.(2)The Union remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.(3)On 24 February 2022, the President of the Russian Federation announced a military operation in Ukraine and Russian armed forces began an attack on Ukraine. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.(4)On 24 February 2022, the High Representative issued a declaration on behalf of the Union condemning in the strongest possible terms the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by armed forces of the Russian Federation and the involvement of Belarus in this aggression against Ukraine. The High Representative indicated that the Union's response will include both sectoral and individual restrictive measures.(5)In its conclusions of 24 February 2022, the European Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the Russian Federation's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine. By its illegal military actions, Russia is grossly violating international law and the principles of the UN Charter, and undermining European and global security and stability. The European Council also strongly condemned the involvement of Belarus in this aggression against Ukraine and called on it to refrain from such action and to abide by its international obligations.(6)In view of the gravity of the situation and of the fact that Belarus is participating in a Russian unprovoked invasion against Ukraine by allowing military aggression from its territory, the Council considers that 22 persons should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014.(7)Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 should therefore be amended accordingly,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: