EU sanctions Tatarstan head Minnikhanov over child evacuations from Ukraine
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The European Union imposed sanctions on Tatarstan head Rustam Minnikhanov for facilitating the removal of children from combat zones in Ukraine to camps in the republic. The measures, announced by the European Council, also target nine other individuals and 17 organizations. Russia rejects the sanctions as illegitimate, saying children were evacuated for their safety.
Key Facts
- The EU sanctioned Tatarstan head Rustam Minnikhanov for facilitating the deportation of Ukrainian children to camps in his region.
- The sanctions target 10 individuals and 17 organizations, including the sports minister of the Donetsk People's Republic and heads of children's camps and schools.
- Sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans, and prohibit EU citizens and companies from providing funds or economic resources to listed persons.
- In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for President Vladimir Putin and children's ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova over alleged unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.
Sanctions Package
The European Council announced sanctions against Rustam Minnikhanov, head of Russia's Tatarstan region, for his role in the removal of Ukrainian children to camps in the republic. The measures cover 10 individuals and 17 organizations, including the sports and tourism minister of the Donetsk People's Republic and heads of children's camps and schools accused of ideological indoctrination. The sanctions impose asset freezes and travel bans, and bar EU citizens and companies from providing funds, financial assets, or economic resources to those listed.
Russian Response
Russian authorities reject Western accusations, saying children were evacuated from combat zones for their safety, not forcibly deported. President Vladimir Putin asked whether orphanages should be left under artillery fire, and said children with relatives in Ukraine face no obstacles to returning. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called Kyiv's claims of forced deportation lies and pointed to shelling of civilian areas in the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics.
ICC Warrants
In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for President Putin and children's ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova over suspected unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Moscow called the court's decision legally void, and Russia has placed ICC prosecutor Karim Khan and several judges on its wanted list.
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