Brussels Warns 18 Eu Countries Over Delay In Implementing Sanctions Legislation

The European Commission has sent warning letters to 18 EU member states for failing to comply with the requirement to notify full implementation of the Directive on the criminalization of breaches of EU restrictive measures.

The European Commission’s press service reported this on Thursday.

The letters were sent to Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Slovenia.

The directive establishes common rules harmonizing the definition of criminal offenses and penalties for breaches of EU restrictive measures.

It aims to prevent the circumvention of EU sanctions, including those adopted after the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

The harmonization of national criminal law in this area is intended to facilitate the investigation of breaches of EU sanctions in all member states.

Member States had to implement the directive into their national law by 20 May 2025. To date, 18 member states have not notified the Commission of their full implementation.

These countries now have two months to respond, complete their implementation, and notify their measures. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may proceed with the process of bringing the Member States to justice.

The European Commission proposed adopting the directive in December 2022 to limit the circumvention of sanctions and strengthen their enforcement.

The Council of the EU finally adopted the law in April 2024.