EU prosecutors should go after sanctions busters, top diplomat suggests
Kaja Kallas wants the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to be given a mandate to squeeze Russia's war machine.
EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas has suggested the European Union should assign its own organized crime prosecutors the task of prosecuting entities and individuals aiding Russia circumvent sanctions and support its war in Ukraine. The Luxembourg-based European Prosecutor’s Public Office (EPPO) would investigate violations of sanctions, such as transporting sensitive goods that could aid Russia's military efforts or laundering funds for the Kremlin.
Kallas proposed the idea during a meeting with EU member country ambassadors on Wednesday, though she did not specify concrete steps at this point. Currently, EPPO focuses on serious organized crime, including money laundering, corruption, and cross-border fraud. The EU recently approved its 21st sanctions package against Russia since the invasion began, targeting oil, gas, financial services, and crypto exchanges.
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