COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2022/260

23.2.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | LI 42/3 ---|---|---|--- * * * COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2022/260 of 23 February 2022 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (1), and in particular Article 14(1) 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 Regulation (EU) No 269/2014. ---|--- (2) | The Union remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. ---|--- (3) | In its conclusions of 24 and 25 June 2021, the European Council called on Russia to fully assume its responsibility in ensuring the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements as the key condition for any substantial change in the Union’s stance. It stressed the need for a firm and coordinated response by the Union and its Member States to any further malign, illegal and disruptive activity by Russia, making full use of all instruments at the Union’s disposal, and ensuring coordination with partners. To this end, the European Council also invited the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) to present options for additional restrictive measures, including economic sanctions. ---|--- (4) | In its conclusions of 16 December 2021, the European Council stressed the urgent need for Russia to de-escalate tensions caused by the military build-up along its border with Ukraine and aggressive rhetoric. It reiterated its full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. While encouraging diplomatic efforts and supporting the Normandy format in achieving the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements, the European Council stated that any further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe cost in response, including restrictive measures coordinated with partners. ---|--- (5) | On 24 January 2022, the Council approved conclusions in which it condemned Russia’s continued aggressive actions and threats against Ukraine, and called on Russia to de-escalate, to abide by international law and to engage constructively in dialogue through the established international mechanisms. The Council reaffirmed the Union’s full commitment to the core principles on which European security is built, enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Charter and the founding documents of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, including the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris. These core principles include in particular the sovereign equality and territorial integrity of States, the inviolability of frontiers, refraining from the threat or use of force, and the freedom of States to choose or change their own security arrangements. The Council stated that those principles are neither negotiable nor subject to revision or re-interpretation and that their violation by Russia is an obstacle to a common and indivisible security space in Europe and threatens peace and stability on the European continent. Recalling the European Council conclusions of December 2021, the Council reiterated that any further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe costs, including a wide array of sectoral and individual restrictive measures that would be adopted in coordination with partners. ---|--- (6) | On 19 February 2022, the High Representative issued a declaration on behalf of the Union expressing concern over the massive build-up of Russian armed forces in and around Ukraine and urged Russia to engage in meaningful dialogue and diplomacy, show restraint and de-escalate by a substantial withdrawal of military forces from the proximity of Ukraine’s borders. The Union stated that any further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe costs in response, including restrictive measures coordinated with partners. ---|--- (7) | On 21 February 2022, the President of the Russian Federation signed a decree recognising the independence and sovereignty of the self-proclaimed ‘Donetsk People's Republic’ and the ‘Luhansk People's Republic’ and ordered Russian armed forces to be deployed in Eastern Ukraine. ---|--- (8) | On 22 February 2022, the High Representative issued a declaration on behalf of the Union condemning the decision of the President of the Russian Federation to recognise the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities and the ensuing decision to send Russian troops into those areas. That illegal act further undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence and is a severe breach of international law and international agreements, including the UN Charter, Helsinki Final Act, Paris Charter and Budapest Memorandum, as well as of the Minsk Agreements and UN Security Council Resolution 2202 (2015). The High Representative urged Russia, as a party to the conflict, to reverse that recognition, uphold its commitments, abide by international law and return to the discussions within the Normandy format and the Trilateral Contact Group. He announced that the Union would respond to these latest violations by Russia by adopting additional restrictive measures as a matter of urgency. ---|--- (9) | In view of the gravity of the situation, the Council considers that 22 persons and four entities should be added to the list of persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures as set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014. ---|--- (10) | Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 should therefore be amended accordingly, ---|--- HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 The persons and entities listed in the Annex to this Regulation shall be added to the list set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014. Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. Done at Brussels, 23 February 2022, For the Council The President J.-Y. LE DRIAN * * * (1) OJ L 78, 17.3.2014, p. 6. * * * ANNEX The following persons and entities are added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014: 1\. Persons | Name | Identifying information | Reasons | Date of listing ---|---|---|---|--- ‘212. | Sergei SHOIGU (Сергей Кужугетович ШОЙГУ) | DOB: 21.5.1955 POB: Chadan, Republic of Tuva, Russian Federation Nationality: Russian Function: Defence Minister of the Russian Federation Gender: Male | Sergei Shoigu is the Defence Minister of the Russian Federation. He has made public comments about Crimea being and remaining Russian. Under his command and orders, Russian troops have held military drills in the illegally annexed Crimea and have been positioned at the border. He is ultimately responsible for any military action against Ukraine. He is therefore responsible for actively supporting and implementing actions and policies that undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine as well as the stability or security in Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 213. | Anton VAINO (Антон Эдуардович ВАЙНО) | DOB: 17.2.1972 POB: Tallinn, Estonia Nationality: Russian Function: Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Gender: Male | Anton Vaino is the Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office. He plays an active role in Kremlin decision-making process by taking part in the Russian ‘Security Council’ and influencing the elaboration of decisions by the President in the field of Russia’s defence and national security. Anton Vaino also attends meetings on socio-economic development of Crimea and Sevastopol. He is therefore responsible for actively supporting and implementing actions and policies that undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine as well as the stability or security in Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 214. | Marat KHUSNULLIN (Марат Шакирзянович ХУСНУЛЛИН) | DOB: 9.8.1966 POB: Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation Function: Deputy Prime Minister of Russia for Construction and Regional Development Nationality: Russian Gender: Male | Marat Khusnullin is the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia for Construction and Regional Development. In this capacity, he is responsible for Russian governmental policies about occupied Crimea, including providing water to Crimea and Sevastopol. He is therefore responsible for actions and policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or stability or security in Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 215. | Dmitriy Yuryevich GRIGORENKO (Дмитрий Юрьевич ГРИГОРЕНКО) | DOB: 14.7.1978 POB: Nizhnevartovsk, Tyumen Region, Russian Federation Functions: Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation – Chief of the Government Staff of the Russian Federation; Chairman of the Supervisory Council of the VTB Bank Gender: Male | Dmitriy Grigorenko is Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Chief of the Government Staff of the Russian Federation. He is also the Chairman of the Supervisory Council of the VTB Bank, a State-owned bank and associated with Maksim Reshetnikov, member of the Supervisory Council of VTB Bank. In his former capacity of Deputy Director of the Federal Tax Service of the Russian Federation, Grigorenko was responsible for setting up new local tax legislation for the territory of Crimea following its annexation in 2014. He is therefore responsible for actions and policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or stability or security in Ukraine. He is also responsible for providing financial and material support, and benefitting from Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea or the destabilisation of Eastern Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 216. | Maxim Gennadyevich RESHETNIKOV (Максим Геннадьевич РЕШЕТНИКОВ) | DOB: 11.7.1979 POB: Perm, Russian Federation Function: Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation; Member of the Supervisory Council of the VTB Bank Nationality: Russian Gender: Male | Maxim Reshetnikov is the Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. He is also a Member of the Supervisory Council of the VTB Bank, a State-owned bank and associated with Dmitriy Grigorenko, member of the Supervisory Council of VTB Bank. In his capacity as Minister of Economic Development, Maxim Reshetnikov is responsible for infrastructure development programmes in Crimea and Sevastopol, most notably under the federal target programme "Social and Economic Development of the Republic of Crimea and Sebastopol until 2022" which has been extended until 2025. He has made public statements outlining the plans and priorities of the government of the Russian Federation concerning the economic development of Crimea and Sevastopol. He is therefore responsible for actions and policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or stability or security in Ukraine. He is also responsible for providing financial and material support, and benefitting from Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea or the destabilisation of Eastern Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 217. | Nikolay Anatolyevich YEVMENOV (a.k.a. Nikolai YEVMENOV) (Николай Анатольевич ЕВМЕНОВ) | DOB: 2.4.1962 POB: Moscow, Russia Function: Commander in chief of the Russian Navy Rank: Admiral Nationality: Russian Gender: Male | Nikolay Yevmenov is Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy. As such, he is responsible for any maritime operation of the Russian navy, including in or to Ukraine. He is therefore responsible for actively supporting and implementing actions and policies that undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine as well as the stability or security in Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 218. | Vladimir Lvovich KASATONOV (Владимир Львович КАСАТОНОВ) | DOB: 17.6.1952 POB: Moscow, Russia Gender: Male | Vladimir Kasatonov is the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy. As such, he is responsible for naval operations in or to Ukraine. He is therefore responsible for actively supporting and implementing actions and policies that undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine as well as the stability or security in Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 219. | Igor Vladimirovich OSIPOV (Игорь Владимирович ОСИПОВ) | DOB: 6.3.1973 POB: Novo-Shunoe settlement, Fedorovsky district, Kostanay region, Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic (now Kazakhstan) Function: Commander in Chief of the Black Sea Fleet Rank: Admiral Nationality: Russian Gender: Male | Igor Osipov is the Commander in Chief of the Black Sea Fleet. As such, he is responsible for any maritime operation in or to Ukraine through the Black Sea and for restricting the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. He is therefore responsible for actively supporting and implementing actions and policies that undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as the stability or security in Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 220. | Oleg Leonydovych SALYUKOV (Олег Леонидович САЛЮКОВ) | DOB: 21.5.1955 POB: Saratov, Russian Federation Function: Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces Rank: Army General Nationality: Russian Gender: Male | Army General Oleg Salyukov is the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces. As such, he is responsible for Russian ground operations in or to Ukraine. He is therefore responsible for actively supporting and implementing actions and policies that undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as the stability or security in Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 221. | Sergei SUROVIKIN (Сергей СУРОВИКИН) | DOB: 11.10.1966 POB: Novosibirsk, Russia Function: Army General Commander of the Aerospace Forces Rank: Army General Nationality: Russian Gender: Male | Army General Sergei Surovikin is the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces. As such, he is responsible for air operations in or to Ukraine. He is therefore responsible for actively supporting and implementing actions and policies that undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine as well as the stability or security in Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 222. | Sergey Vladimirovich DRONOV (a.k.a. Sergei Vladimirovich DRONOV) (Сергей Владимирович ДРОНОВ) | DOB: 11.8.1962 POB: Almazovka, Voroshilovograd region, Ukraine Function: Commander of the Air Force and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Air and Space Forces Military rank: Lieutenant General Nationality: Russian Gender: Male | Lieutenant General Sergey Vladimirovich Dronov is Commander of the Air Force and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Air and Space Forces. As such, he is responsible for air operations in or to Ukraine. He is therefore responsible for actively supporting and implementing actions and policies that undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine as well as the stability or security in Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 223. | Violetta PRIGOZHINA (Виолетта ПРИГОЖИНА) | Associated individuals: Yevgeniy Viktorovich Prigozhin (son); Lyubov Valentinovna Prigozhina (daughter-in-law) Nationality: Russian Gender: Female | Violetta Prigozhina is the mother of Yevgeny Prigozhin and owner of Concord Management and Consulting LLC, which belongs to the Concord group, founded and owned until 2019 by her son. She is the owner of other companies with links to his son. She is associated with Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is responsible for the deployment of Wagner Group mercenaries in Ukraine and for benefitting from large public contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence following the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia and occupation of Eastern Ukraine by Russia-backed separatists. She has therefore supported actions and policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 224. | Lyubov Valentinovna PRIGOZHINA (Любовь Валентиновна ПРИГОЖИНА) | Associated individuals: Yevgeniy Viktorovich Prigozhin (husband); Violetta Prigozhina (mother-in-law) Nationality: Russian Gender: Female | Lyubov Valentinovna Prigozhina is the spouse of Yevgeny Prigozhin and owner of Agat LLC, a subsidiary of Concord Management and Consulting LLC, which belongs to the Concord group, founded and owned until 2019 by her husband. She is associated with Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is responsible for the deployment of Wagner Group mercenaries in Ukraine and for benefitting from large public contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence following the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia and occupation of Eastern Ukraine by Russia-backed separatists. She has therefore supported actions and policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 225. | Denis Aleksandrovich BORTNIKOV (Денис Александрович БОРТНИКОВ) | DOB: 19.11.1974 Function: Deputy President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board Nationality: Russian Associated individuals: Alexander Vasilyevich Bortnikov (father); Tatiana Borisovna Bortnikova (mother) | Denis Bortnikov is the son of, and as such is associated with, Alexander Bortnikov – Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Permanent Member of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, who is involved in shaping the policy of the Russian Government threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. He is the deputy President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board, in which position he works to legitimise his father’s shadow/ illegal income. He is therefore also supporting financially Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilisation of Eastern Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 226. | Andrei Leonidovich KOSTIN (Андрей Леонидович КОСТИН) | DOB: 21.9.1956 POB: Moscow, Former USSR (now Russian Federation) Function: President of the VTB Bank Management Board Associated persons: Tamara Mikhailovna Kostina (mother); Leonid Alekseevich Kostin (father) Nationality: Russian Gender: Male | Andrei Leonidovich Kostin is the president-chairman of Vneshtorbank (VTB) – one of the leading state-owned banks in Russia, and a member of the Supreme Council of the “United Russia” political party. He has made public statements supporting the annexation of Crimea and encouraging Russian citizens to vacation in Crimea. He is also associated with, and according to media reports is an owner of, a winery and a luxurious hotel in Crimea. He is therefore supporting actions and policies that undermine the territorial integrity of Ukraine and benefitting from the annexation of Crimea. | 23.2.2022 227. | Igor SHUVALOV (Игорь Иванович ШУВАЛОВ) | DOB: 4.1.1967 POB: Bilibino, Russian Federation Gender: Male | Igor Ivanovich Shuvalov is the chairman of State Development Corporation VEB.RF and a member of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission. He was previously a First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia. In this capacity he made remarks stating that Russian would change budget rules to reflect an additional two million in population after the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. He is therefore supporting actions and policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 228. | Margarita SIMONYAN (Маргарита Симоновна СИМОНЬЯН) | DOB: 6.4.1980 POB: Krasnodar, ex-USSR (now Russian Federation) Function: Editor-in-chief of the English language television news network RT (Russia Today) Associated individuals: Dmitry Konstantinovich KISELYOV Nationality: Russian Gender: Female | Margarita Simonyan is a central figure of the Government propaganda. She is also editor-in-chief of the English language television news network RT (Russia Today). Through her function, she promoted a positive attitude to the annexation of Crimea and the actions of separatists in Donbas. Therefore, she supported actions and policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 229. | Maria ZAKHAROVA (Мария Владимировна ЗАХАРОВА) | DOB: 24.12.1975 POB: Moscow, ex-USSR (now Russian Federation) Function: Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Nationality: Russian Gender Female | Maria Zakharova is the Director of the Information and Press Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. As a central figure of the government propaganda, she promoted the deployment of Russian forces in Ukraine. Therefore, she supported actions and policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 230. | Vladimir Roudolfovitch SOLOVIEV (Владимир Рудольфович СОЛОВЬЁВ) | DOB: 20.10.1963 POB: Moscow, ex-USSR (now Russian Federation) Function: Propagandist and TV/Radio Journalist Nationality: Russian Gender: Male | Vladimir Solovyev is a Propagandist and Presenter of the Russia-1 channel and Rossia 24. He received a medal (Order of Alexander Nevsky) for “high professionalism and objectivity in covering events in the Republic of Crimea”. Solovyov is known for his extremely hostile attitude towards Ukraine and praise of the Russian government. Therefore, he is responsible for supporting actions or policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 231. | Konstantin KNYRIK (Константин КНЫРИК) | DOB: 1989 (possibly) Nationality: Russian Gender: Male | Konstantin Knyrik is a pro-Russian activist running MediaGroup News Front Ltd, a news website registered in the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula. He is the chief of the Crimean division of the Rodina Party, a pro-Kremlin party in Russia. Konstantin Knyrik received the medal ‘for the return of Crimea’. He therefore actively supported and implemented actions and policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, and further destabilised Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 232. | Aleksey Konstantinovich PUSHKOV (Алексей Константинович ПУШКОВ) | DOB: 10.8.1954 POB: Beijing, China Nationality: Russian Phone and fax: 8 (495) 697-58-69 Address of the reception office in the subject of the Russian Federation: 51 Lenina St., Perm, 614000, room 219 Telephone and fax numbers of the reception office in the region of the Russian Federation: (342) 253-66-01 Gender: Male | Aleksey Konstantinovich Pushkov is a Senator from Perm Krai, member of the ruling United Russia political party and Chairman of the Commission on Information Policy. He made several statements in support of the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula, and presented it as a ‘fait accompli’. He is therefore responsible for supporting actions and policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. | 23.2.2022 233. | Pyotr TOLSTOY (a.k.a Petr Olegovich TOLSTOY; Pyotr Olegovich TOLSTOY) (Пётр Олегович ТОЛСТОЙ) | DOB: 20.6.1969 POB: Moscow, ex-USSR (now Russian Federation) Function: Russian journalist, producer, presenter and politician. Deputy Chairman of the State Duma since 2016 and the Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe since 28 January 2020. Nationality: Russian Gender: Male | Pyotr Tolstoy is a Member of the State Duma and head of the Russian delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). He is also TV-Host of “Vremya Pokazhet”. Central figure of the Government propaganda, he frequently takes positions in favour of the annexation of Crimea. Therefore, he is responsible for supporting actions and policies which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. | 23.2.2022’ 2\. Entities | Name | Identifying information | Reasons | Date of listing ---|---|---|---|--- ‘52. | Internet Research Agency (Агентство интернет-исследований) | Date of creation: 2013 Address: Saint Petersburg, Russia Associated individuals: Yevgeny Prigozhin | Internet Research Agency is a Russian company engaged in online influence operations on behalf of Russia. Its ultimate objective is to manipulate the public opinion. The company conducts disinformation campaigns targeting Ukraine’s agenda by influencing elections or perceptions of the annexation of Crimea or the conflict in Donbas. In this capacity, the Internet Research Agency is responsible for actively supporting actions which undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The company is financed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, and therefore associated with a listed person. | 23.2.2022 53. | Bank Rossiya (Банк «Россия») | Founded on 27.6.1990 Address: Pl Rastrelli 2 Liter A Saint Petersburg, 191124 Russian Federation Website: Abr.ru Associated individuals: Dmitri LEBEDEV (Chairman); Yuriy KOVALCHUK (largest shareholder) | Bank Rossiya is the personal bank of Senior Officials of the Russian Federation. In this capacity, Bank Rossiya supports and benefits from Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea or the destabilisation of Eastern Ukraine. Bank Rossiya has important stakes in the National Media Group which, in turn, controls television stations which actively support the Russian government’s policies of destabilisation of Ukraine. Since the illegal annexation of Crimea, Bank Rossiya has opened branches across Crimea and Sevastopol. Bank Rossiya also provided a loan to Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Crimean Railway” and supports the construction of the railway over the Crimean bridge. Therefore, Bank Rossiya supports financially actions which undermine and threaten the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Associated with Yuriy Valentinovich Kovalchuk, largest shareholder of Bank Rossiya. | 23.2.2022 54. | PROMSVYAZBANK (ПАО Промсвязьбанк") | Founded in 1995 Address: Moscow; Website: psbank.ru Associated individuals: Petr Fradkov, CEO | PROMSVYAZBANK is a Russian State-owned bank, which provides financial support to the Russian defence sector and the Russian military, which is responsible for the massive deployment of Russian troops along the border with Ukraine and for the presence of Russian troops in the Crimean peninsula. PROMSVYAZBANK is directly instructed by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, and therefore provides financial and material support to Russian decision-makers responsible for the destabilisation of Eastern Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea. PROMSVYAZBANK operates in the Crimean peninsula. | 23.2.2022 55. | VEB.RF (a.k.a. Vnesheconombank; VEB) (ВЭБ.РФ) | Founded in 1922 as bank and 2007 as development institute Address: 9 prospekt Akademika Sakharova, Moscow, Russia; Website: veb.ru Associated individuals: Igor Shuvalov, Chairman | VEB.RF is a major financial development institution whose Chairman is directly appointed by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, and takes instructions directly from him. VEB.RF generates an important source of revenue for the Russian Government and manages its State pension funds. VEB.RF plays an active role in the diversification of the defence sector of the Russian Federation and has projects with defence industry companies, including Rostec, which provide support to actions which undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. VEB granted loans to small and medium enterprises in Crimea and considers it a “priority region” and has partnerships with the Ministry of Crimean Affairs, responsible for the integration of the annexed Autonomous ‘Republic of Crimea’ into the Russian Federation. In this capacity, VEB.RF actively supports, materially or financially, or benefits from, Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea or the destabilisation of Eastern Ukraine. | 23.2.2022’ * * *