The European Union (EU) is closely monitoring the situation following the death of Russian businessman Evgeny Prigozhin and has yet to decide whether to lift the sanctions it imposed against him, according to reports from Russian media, citing the European Commission. The EU’s executive branch stated that it is still awaiting “reliable confirmation” of Prigozhin’s death.
The news outlet, Daily Storm, received a statement from the press service of the EU confirming that they have not received sufficient evidence to confirm Prigozhin’s death. The statement emphasized that decisions made by the EU Council are unanimous, and discussions among member states are confidential.
Evgeny Prigozhin, along with some of his close associates and the crew of his private jet, tragically lost their lives in a plane crash in Russia last Wednesday. The identities of all the victims were confirmed by Russia’s Investigative Committee on Sunday after conducting DNA tests. Prigozhin’s funeral was held in St. Petersburg on Tuesday.
Prigozhin, a controversial figure, and his enterprises have faced multiple rounds of Western sanctions. In 2016, he was first targeted by the US for alleged election meddling. Subsequently, in 2020, the EU also imposed sanctions on him, citing his leadership role in the private military company Wagner Group. At the time, Wagner Group was accused of supplying weapons to Libya in violation of a UN embargo.
Furthermore, Prigozhin’s family members were also affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In March, his elderly mother, Violetta Prigozhina, successfully overturned personal sanctions against her after the EU’s second-highest court ruled that the restrictions were solely based on their family relationship.
It is worth noting that Brussels has imposed sanctions on the relatives of several Russian businessmen, believing that the actual targets may attempt to shield their assets by transferring ownership.
The EU’s cautious approach to lifting sanctions reflects the importance it places on reliable confirmation of Prigozhin’s death. As a body committed to maintaining the integrity of its decisions, the EU conducts thorough investigations before taking any action. The EU’s response to this situation will undoubtedly be influenced by the confirmation of Prigozhin’s demise and any subsequent developments.
In conclusion, the EU is closely monitoring the situation surrounding the death of Evgeny Prigozhin and has yet to decide whether to lift the sanctions imposed against him. The EU’s commitment to reliable confirmation underscores its cautious approach in making any decisions regarding sanctions. The tragic plane crash that claimed Prigozhin’s life, along with his associates and the crew, has prompted investigations to confirm the identities of the victims. The EU’s stance on this matter will undoubtedly be influenced by the outcome of these investigations.
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