EU foreign ministers today adopted a decision to place the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the list of terrorist organizations. This was announced by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaya Kallas at a press conference after the meeting in Brussels, BTA reported.
Those who practice terror must be perceived as terrorists, she said. We have imposed sanctions on those responsible for suppressing the protests, including the Iranian Interior Minister. Iran must release those unjustly detained during the protests, Kallas urged.
She pointed out that the EU must remain ready to impose additional pressure on the authorities in Tehran. The region does not need war, said Kallas in response to a question about whether the EU would join the announced possible new US strikes on Iran.
The High Representative announced that the EU Council had today included Russia in the list of high-risk countries for money laundering. Kallas added that new sanctions against Russia are expected to be approved by February 24 and that a ban on entry into Schengen of Russian fighters who participated in the fighting in Ukraine is being discussed. According to her, the number of these fighters is large, they pose a threat to European security and the proposal is widely supported. She explained that the measure is envisaged in the event of a ceasefire or a peace agreement.
Kallas insisted that Russia is not treating the peace talks conducted so far in good faith. According to her, the EU has no reason to seek contact with Moscow, after the Kremlin is negotiating with Washington on the issue of Ukraine.