Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/633 of 19 February 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2022/266 concerning restrictive measures in response to the illegal recognition, occupation or annexation by the Russian Federation of certain non-government controlled areas of Ukraine

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2024/633 20.2.2024 COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2024/633 of 19 February 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2022/266 concerning restrictive measures in response to the illegal recognition, occupation or annexation by the Russian Federation of certain non-government controlled areas 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 23 February 2022, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/266(1).

(2) On 6 October 2022, in response to the illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions by the Russian Federation, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2022/1908(2). That Decision amended the title of Decision (CFSP) 2022/266 and extended the geographical scope of the restrictions to cover all the non- government controlled areas of Ukraine in the oblasts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia.

(3) On 14 and 15 December 2023, the European Council adopted conclusions in which, inter alia, it reiterated its condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations, and recalled the Union’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right of self-defence against Russia’s aggression.

(4) On the basis of a review of Decision (CFSP) 2022/266, and as long as the Russian Federation’s illegal actions continue to violate the prohibition on the use of force, which is a serious breach of international law, it is appropriate to maintain in force all the measures currently imposed by the Union and to take additional measures, if necessary. Consequently, the restrictive measures contained in Decision (CFSP) 2022/266 should be renewed for a further 12 months, until 24 February 2025.

(5) Decision (CFSP) 2022/266 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1 In Article 10 of Decision (CFSP) 2022/266, the second paragraph is replaced by the following: ‘This Decision shall apply until 24 February 2025.’.

Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/266 of 23 February 2022 concerning restrictive measures in response to the illegal recognition, occupation or annexation by the Russian Federation of certain non-government controlled areas of Ukraine (OJ L 42 I, 23.2.2022, p. 109).

(2) Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/1908 of 6 October 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2022/266 concerning restrictive measures in response to the recognition of the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine and the ordering of Russian armed forces into those areas (OJ L 259 I, 6.10.2022, p. 118).

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/633/oj 1/2EN OJ L, 20.2.2024 Done at Brussels, 19 February 2024.

For the Council The President J. BORRELL FONTELLES 2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/633/oj