EU imposes sanctions over Ukraine
Putin's defense minister and chief of staff affected
Ibrahim Al-TarikOctober 5, 2026
Vladimir Putin's chief of staff and defense minister have been blacklisted by the EU under the first round of sanctions against Moscow after the US warned of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Anton Vaino, chief of staff in Putin's presidential office, and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu are among 27 people and entities named in a list of restrictive measures adopted by EU member states.
Sanctions were also imposed on two Russian deputy prime ministers for their involvement in "threats to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine" and on the chiefs of Russia's navy, army and air force, in what EU officials say is the first of possibly several represents waves of action against Moscow.
A day after Germany halted approval for the $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which is expected to transport natural gas direct from Russia, President Joe Biden said his administration would impose sanctions on the company and those responsible for overseeing construction executives will impose.
"These steps are another part of our first tranche of sanctions in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine," Biden said. "Through his actions, President Putin has given the world an overwhelming incentive to turn away from Russian gas and into other forms of energy."
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the US has not ruled out imposing sanctions on Putin himself. "That remains an option that is on the table," she said.
The decisions came after a Pentagon official warned that Russia could launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine at any time after the Russian military deployed 100 percent of the troops and weapons it needs for a full-scale attack on the country needed.
"Putin and his forces are as ready as they can be," said a senior US defense official. "They've increased their readiness to the point where they're literally ready to go when they get the order. They could go anytime now."
The official added that Russia has already positioned more than two dozen warships in the Black Sea, including 10 amphibious assault ships. "These ships are there for one reason only, and that's to put boots on the ground," he said.
Charles Michel, President of the European Council, has called a summit of EU leaders in Brussels for Thursday to discuss "how we are going to deal with Russia" and hold Moscow accountable for its actions.
"The use of force and coercion to change borders has no place in the 21st century," Michel said in a letter to EU leaders.
The EU's crackdown on Vaino and Shoigu, members of Russia's powerful Security Council, extends the EU's Ukraine sanctions to the inner circle of Putin's advisers. The measures include an asset freeze and a ban on providing funds to the named individuals, as well as a ban on travel to and within the EU.
The sanctions are a first step by the EU to punish Russia for its actions in eastern Ukraine. Policymakers warned they were ready to step up the pressure on top Russian businessmen and the country's economy should Putin launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stressed on Wednesday that she does not believe that Russia carried out a "military invasion" but that it was guilty of a serious violation of international law. However, she added: "If there is further military action against Ukraine, there will be a massive and robust second package to come."
She told CNN: "Russia will have to pay a price, and it is President Putin who must explain to his people why he is burdening them with this enormous price."
Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT, the Kremlin-funded English-language TV channel that also broadcasts outside Russia, is on the sanctions list for "promoting a positive attitude toward separatist actions in Donbass." Vladimir Solovyov, a prominent and influential Russian TV news anchor, and Maria Zakharova, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, are also subject to sanctions.
The EU's foreign policy arm warned this week of a wave of state-sponsored Russian propaganda targeting the EU.
The EU sanctions also apply to three banks in Russia.
