Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/969 of 20 May 2025 amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities

## Policy Analysis Report: Council Decision CFSP 2025/969 - Amendment to Restrictive Measures Regarding Russia's Destabilising Activities **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes Council Decision CFSP 2025/969, which amends Decision CFSP 2024/2643 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's destabilising activities. The core purpose of this amendment is to update the identifying information and statement of reasons for one natural person, Anatolii PRIZENKO, already listed under the original decision. This report finds that the amendment strengthens the justification for the sanctions against PRIZENKO by providing specific details regarding his alleged involvement in a destabilising operation carried out for the benefit of the Russian military intelligence service (GRU). **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview and analysis of Council Decision CFSP 2025/969, focusing on the changes it introduces to the existing restrictive measures targeting Russia's destabilising activities. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text. **3. Policy Overview:** This decision amends Council Decision CFSP 2024/2643 of 8 October 2024 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's destabilising activities. The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to maintain and refine targeted sanctions against individuals involved in activities that undermine the stability of the European Union and its member states, specifically in relation to Russian influence. **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment is likely driven by a need to update or strengthen the legal justification for maintaining sanctions against Anatolii PRIZENKO. The text indicates that a review of Decision CFSP 2024/2643 led the Council to conclude that the identifying information and statement of reasons for PRIZENKO's listing required amendment. This suggests that new information, or a refined understanding of existing information, warranted an update to the original justification. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This decision focuses specifically on amending the Annex to Decision CFSP 2024/2643, under the heading "A. Natural persons." The following changes are introduced to the entry for Anatolii PRIZENKO: * **What specific part of the original policy is being changed:** The "Identifying information" and "Statement of Reasons" for Anatolii PRIZENKO's entry in the list of sanctioned individuals are being replaced. * **What the *new* rule/provision *is*:** The amended entry provides detailed information on PRIZENKO's alleged involvement in coordinating the dispatch of Moldovan citizens to France to paint Stars of David, an operation linked to Russian disinformation campaigns and the GRU. The date of listing has been updated to 16.12.2024. * **Explain the *difference* or the *effect* of this specific change:** The original listing (prior to this amendment, as not explicitly present in the text) likely contained less detailed information about PRIZENKO's activities. The amendment provides a more concrete and specific justification for his inclusion on the sanctions list, linking him to a particular incident, Russian disinformation, and the GRU. This strengthens the legal basis for the sanctions and makes it more difficult for PRIZENKO to challenge them. The updated date also clarifies the timeline of the sanctions. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The directly affected party is Anatolii PRIZENKO, as the amendment specifically concerns his listing and the justification for sanctions against him. Indirectly, individuals and entities dealing with PRIZENKO may be affected due to the restrictions imposed by the sanctions regime. Furthermore, the Republic of Moldova and France are stakeholders, given PRIZENKO's activities took place in or originated from these countries. Finally, the Russian Federation and the GRU are stakeholders due to the allegations of their involvement in PRIZENKO's actions. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency/bodies mentioned:** The Council of the European Union is responsible for adopting and amending the decision. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy provides proposals. * **Any timelines or procedures specified *in the text*?:** The decision enters into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This implies an immediate implementation of the changes. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome of these specific changes is to reinforce the sanctions regime against individuals deemed to be contributing to Russia's destabilising activities. By providing more detailed and specific evidence of PRIZENKO's involvement, the amendment aims to: * Strengthen the legal basis for the sanctions, making them more difficult to challenge. * Send a clear message that the EU is actively monitoring and addressing Russian disinformation campaigns and interference in member states. * Deter others from engaging in similar activities by demonstrating the consequences of such actions. **9. Conclusion:** Council Decision CFSP 2025/969 represents a refinement of existing restrictive measures against Russia's destabilising activities. The amendment, focused on updating the listing of Anatolii PRIZENKO, is significant because it provides a more robust and detailed justification for the sanctions. This strengthens the EU's ability to enforce its sanctions regime and signals its commitment to countering Russian influence and interference within its member states.

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