EU prepares sanctions after Russian elections
The European Union does not recognise the Russian vote in occupied Ukrainian territories and announces new punitive measures.
The European Union is paving the way for new sanctions against people involved in the Russian parliamentary elections in occupied Ukrainian territories. Brussels says it does not recognise the elections held from 18 to 20 September; Ukraine calls them illegal.
The Russian elections for the State Duma took place from 18 to 20 September. According to the European Union, residents of Crimea, Sevastopol and parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions were also included in the Russian electoral process. Internationally, those areas are regarded as Ukrainian territory.
The EU says the vote there has no legal consequences. People who organised the elections, stood as candidates in the occupied territories or undermined the possibility of free elections in Russia may be placed on a sanctions list. The statement names neither individuals nor numbers.
The Ukrainian government had already warned that taking part in Russian elections in occupied territory would have consequences. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry in Kyiv described the vote as an attempt to politically normalise the Russian occupation. Ukraine says it does not recognise the results or the mandates of candidates from those areas.
The measure comes on top of existing European sanctions against people and organisations undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity. On 22 September, the Council of the EU extended those listings by three years, until September 2029. They involve travel restrictions, asset freezes and a ban on making economic resources available.
The Russian authorities present the elections as a regular nationwide vote. According to reporting by Associated Press, United Russia, the party of President Vladimir Putin, retained its dominant position in an election in which independent opposition and independent observation were limited. The EU, by contrast, points out that Russia did not invite OSCE observers.
The precise consequences of the new announcement depend on the names list yet to be published. For companies, banks and governments, a listing generally means that transactions, travel and services involving the people or entities concerned must be checked. Until the list is published, it remains unclear who will specifically be affected and whether Brussels will adopt Ukraine’s national measures.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Russia held elections for the State Duma from 18 to 20 September 2026.
- The EU does not recognise the elections in occupied Ukrainian territories.
- Brussels announced sanctions against involved organisers, candidates and other responsible parties.
- Current public statements do not yet contain a complete new names list.
Left
Arguments Sanctions are necessary to prevent annexation and forced political integration from appearing normal. According to this approach, anyone cooperating with elections under occupation helps legitimise an authoritarian project.
Values International law, democratic representation and the protection of occupied populations.
Consequences Without personal sanctions, the occupation may gradually become institutionally entrenched; sanctions, however, increase pressure on civilians and economic contacts.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach calls for targeted sanctions and a distinction between organisers, candidates and ordinary voters. The measure must remain legally grounded and enforceable.
Values Legal certainty, proportionality and joint European enforcement.
Consequences A limited, well-substantiated list may be more effective than broad punitive measures, but the process may be slow.
Right
Arguments Sanctions should primarily target Russia’s power structure and must not burden European companies with unclear rules. From this perspective, diplomatic pressure matters more than continually producing new symbolic lists.
Values National sovereignty, economic interests and restraint in government intervention.
Consequences Overly broad sanctions may disrupt trade and financial services without changing Russia’s policy.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts are based on statements by the EU and Ukraine and on independent reporting. The concrete names list for the new sanctions had not yet been published and has therefore not been presented as established fact.
- confirmed The Russian State Duma elections took place from 18 to 20 September 2026. — Mentioned in the statement by the Council of the EU. source
- confirmed Russia organised the elections in parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia as well. — The EU names Crimea, Sevastopol and parts of four Ukrainian regions. source
- confirmed The EU says it will sanction people involved in organising or undermining free elections. — This is stated explicitly in the EU statement. source
- confirmed Existing EU sanctions relating to Ukraine’s territorial integrity have been extended until 22 September 2029. — Decision by the Council of the EU of 22 September 2026. source
- confirmed Ukraine does not recognise the Russian elections in occupied territory. — This is stated in the declaration by Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry. source
Editor's note
The elections, the European non-recognition and the intention to impose new sanctions have been confirmed. A current Ukrainian names list and the precise national sanctions decisions were not publicly available.Sources
- Verklaring over de Russische Staatsdoemaverkiezingen — Raad van de Europese Unie
- EU verlengt sanctievermeldingen rond Oekraïne — Raad van de Europese Unie
- Oekraïense verklaring over de Russische verkiezingen — Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken van Oekraïne
- The main Kremlin party wins tighter control of parliament — Associated Press
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „rusland oekraïne”
- RTL Nieuws — „rusland oekraïne”
- NOS — „rusland oekraïne”