Estonia has been one of the pioneers of the new EU sanctions regime and it is an important tool that will make it possible to impose sanctions against individuals and entities who coordinate or contribute to Russia’s hybrid activities that undermine democracy, rule of law, stability or security.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that the aim of Russia’s coordinated hybrid activities was to undermine and test the unity of the West in order to weaken support for Ukraine and sow fear. “However, we can see through these tactics and will respond with specific steps to hold Russia and those who contribute to its hybrid activities to account,” he said. Tsahkna added that among other things, Estonia got the idea for the new sanctions regime from the coordinated hybrid operation by Russia’s special services against Estonia’s security, which included sabotaging the car of a minister and a journalist and vandalising monuments.
For example, sanctions can be imposed for undermining the democratic political process, planning violent demonstrations, acts of violence, foreign information manipulation and interference, air space violations, sabotage, and cyberattacks.
Under the new sanctions regime, the EU has the right to impose entry bans on people who support or coordinate Russia’s hybrid activities, and to prohibit making funds available to them and freeze their assets in the EU.
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