Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1508 of 27 May 2024 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2024/1508 27.5.2024 COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2024/1508 of 27 May 2024 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions under- mining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine 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 17 March 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/145/CFSP (1). (2) 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 Charter of the United Nations, and undermining European and global security and stability. The European Council called for the urgent preparation and adoption of a further individual and economic sanctions package. The European Council called on Russia and Russia-backed armed formations to stop their disinformation campaign. (3) In its conclusions of 21 and 22 March 2024, the European Council reaffirmed the Union’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression. It also called for further steps to weaken Russia’s ability to continue waging its war of aggression, including by strengthening the sanctions. (4) The Russian Federation has engaged in a systematic, international campaign of media manipulation and distortion of facts in order to enhance its strategy of destabilisation of its neighbouring countries, and of the Union and its Member States. In particular, the propaganda has repeatedly and consistently targeted European political parties, especially during election periods, as well as targeting civil society, asylum seekers, Russian ethnic minorities, gender minorities, and the functioning of democratic institutions in the Union and its Member States. (5) In order to justify and support its war of aggression against Ukraine, the Russian Federation has engaged in continuous and concerted propaganda actions targeted at civil society in the Union and neighbouring countries, gravely distorting and manipulating facts. (6) Those propaganda actions have been channelled through a number of media outlets under the permanent direct or indirect control of the leadership of the Russian Federation. Such actions constitute a significant and direct threat to the Union’s public order and security. Those media outlets are essential and instrumental in bringing forward and supporting the aggression against Ukraine, and for the destabilisation of its neighbouring countries. (7) In view of the gravity of the situation, it is appropriate to adopt further restrictive measures. (8) In particular, the Council considers that two persons and one entity responsible for, supporting or implementing actions or policies undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine should be added to the list of persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP. (9) Decision 2014/145/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision. (1) Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (OJ L 78, 17.3.2014, p. 16). ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1508/oj 1/5EN OJ L, 27.5.2024 Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Done at Brussels, 27 May 2024. For the Council The President J. BORRELL FONTELLES 2/5 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1508/ojANNEX The following persons and entity are added to the list of persons, entities and bodies set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP: Persons Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing ‘1753. Artem Pavlovich Function: Politician, Media Producer, Propagandist Artem Marchevskyi is a former Ukrainian politician, who is closely associated 27.5.2024 MARCHEVSKYI with Viktor Medvedchuk, a former Ukrainian politician and businessperson. DOB: 5.7.1988 a.k.a. Artem Pavlovich As of April 2022, Artem Marchevskyi has been under investigation in absentia POB: Kyiv, USSR, now Ukraine MARCHEVSKIJ by the State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine for acts against Ukraine. Nationality: Ukrainian, Israeli a.k.a. Artěm Pavlovič MAR- Artem Marchevskyi played a key role in the acquisition of a media brand, Voice ČEVSKIJ Gender: male of Europe, and the incorporation of its activity in a limited liability company of the same name domiciled in Prague. As the concealed head of Voice of Europe, (Артем Павлович Taxpayer Identification Number: 3232824038 Artem Marchevskyi has played an instrumental role in disseminating concerted МАРЧЕВСЬКИЙ) disinformation and biased narratives aimed at undermining the credibility and public image of Ukraine and its efforts to defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression. Artem Marchevskyi has used Voice of Europe as a vehicle for funnelling financial resources designated for the remuneration of propagandists, and for the building of an influence network connecting Medvedchuk and his associates with representatives of political parties in Europe. Therefore, Artem Marchevskyi is supporting and implementing actions and policies which undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1508/oj 3/5 OJ L, 27.5.2024 ENName Identifying information Reasons Date of listing 1754. Viktor Volodymyrovych Function: Politician, Businessman, de facto media Viktor Medvedchuk is a former Ukrainian politician and businessperson, who 27.5.2024’ MEDVEDCHUK owner has been the leading proponent of a pro-Russian policy in Ukraine and who has promoted policies and actions intended to erode the credibility and legitimacy of a.k.a. Viktor Volodymyrovič DOB: 7.8.1954 the Government of Ukraine. MEDVEDČUK POB: Pochet, Krasnoyarsk Krai, USSR (now Russian Viktor Medvedchuk has close personal ties to and is associated with the (Russian: Виктор Federation) President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. Владимирович МЕДВЕДЧУК; Nationality: Russian Through his associates, including Artem Marchevskyi, Viktor Medvedchuk Ukrainian: Віктор Gender: male controlled Ukrainian media outlets and used them to disseminate pro-Russian Володимирович МЕД- propaganda in Ukraine and beyond. ВЕДЧУК) Taxpayer Identification Number: 1994214296 After the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Viktor Medvedchuk spread Russian propaganda narratives about the war, undermining Ukrainian sovereignty. To that end, Viktor Medvedchuk founded in April 2023 in Russia a political movement called “Another Ukraine”. With his associates and associated entities, including Marchevskyi and the Voice of Europe media channel, Viktor Medvedchuk has continued funding and carrying out influence operations targeting political parties and individual politicians in Europe. Those activities have included providing financial resources to individual political actors in Europe. Viktor Medvedchuk has directed and maintained control over the malign activities of Marchevskyi and Voice of Europe, using Marchevskyi’s de facto direction of Voice of Europe. Therefore, Viktor Medvedchuk is supporting and implementing actions and policies which undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. 4/5 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1508/oj EN OJ L, 27.5.2024Entities Name Identifying information Reasons Date of listing ‘426. VOICE OF EUROPE S.R.O. Address: Krakovská 583/9, 110 00 Prague, Czech Voice of Europe is an online media outlet, which has engaged in a systematic, 27.5.2024’ Republic international campaign of media manipulation and distortion of facts in order to enhance the destabilisation of Ukraine and the Union and its Member States, and Place of registration: Prague, Czech Republic to justify Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Date of registration: 14.3.2023 Voice of Europe runs a website and has accounts on Facebook, YouTube, Registration number: CZ05185327 Telegram and X which actively spread disinformation related to Ukraine and promoting pro-Kremlin false narratives about Russia’s war of aggression against Principal place of business: Czech Republic Ukraine. Voice of Europe is secretly financed and directed by Viktor Medvedchuk through his associate Artem Marchevskyi. Voice of Europe is an instrumental tool to disseminate concerted disinformation and biased narratives aimed at under- mining the credibility and public image of Ukraine and its efforts to defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression. Additionally, Voice of Europe has been used as a vehicle for the funnelling of financial resources designated for the remuneration of propagandists and the building of an influence network connecting Medvedchuk and his associates with representatives of political parties in Europe. Therefore, Voice of Europe is supporting materially and financially actions which undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/1508/oj 5/5 OJ L, 27.5.2024 EN