EU May Discuss Personal Sanctions Against Vladimir Putin, Reports Say

The news comes a day after Brussels announced punitive measures against Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and the country’s military chiefs, as well as people close to the Russian president. The sanctions came in response to Moscow’s decision to recognise the independence of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics.

The European Union could discuss personal sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, Bloomberg reported, citing its sources. Such a move would be symbolic, as the Russian head of state barely owns any assets, the news agency said.

An EU diplomat told Bloomberg that the option of targeting the Russian head of state is not in the package of sanctions that has already been prepared by Brussels, but said it could appear if there’s enough political agreement.

The news comes as Western countries imposed harsh sanctions on Moscow following the Kremlin’s decision to recognise the independence of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. The decision, which Putin said came in response to continued attacks from Kiev, was announced during an emergency meeting of Russia’s Security Council and later approved unanimously by the Russian parliament.

Both republics said that Ukrainian forces shelled their territories, prompting them to evacuate civilians to Russia.

Australia, Canada, Britain, Japan, the European Union, and the United States have imposed sanctions on Russian banks, officials, and individuals close to the Russian president, while Germany has halted the Nord Stream 2 project designed to supply European countries with Russian gas.

Earlier on Thursday, President Putin ordered a special operation after the DPR and LPR asked Moscow for military assistance to defend against Ukrainian aggression. The Russian head of state said the operation was pre-emptive in nature and that Moscow intends only to protect population of the two republics and not occupy Ukraine.

Kiev has called Moscow’s actions a "full-scale invasion" and declared martial law. President Volodymyr Zelensky also called for international support, including harsh sanctions against Russia.

The Russian Defence Ministry said that there is no threat to the civilian population of Ukraine, as it is conducting precision strikes on military infrastructure - air defence facilities, military airfields, and air forces.