Here’s a breakdown of Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/959:
**1. Essence of the Act:**
This regulation amends Council Regulation (EU) 2018/1542 to impose further restrictive measures (sanctions) against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons. Specifically, it adds three entities to the list of those subject to these measures due to their involvement in the use of chemical weapons, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine.
**2. Structure and Main Provisions:**
* **Article 1:** This is the core of the regulation. It amends Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1542 by adding three entities to the list of sanctioned parties.
* **Article 2:** Specifies the entry into force date, which is the date of publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It also states that the regulation is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
* **Annex:** This section provides detailed information on the newly listed entities, including their names, identifying information (addresses, registration numbers, websites, etc.), the grounds for their designation (reasons for being sanctioned), and the date of their listing.
**Entities Added to the Sanctions List:**
1. **Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Troops of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation:** Sanctioned for being the entity within the Russian Armed Forces in charge of chemical and biological warfare and for their involvement in the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine (including riot control agents like CS gas).
2. **27th Scientific Centre of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation:** Sanctioned for being a subordinate unit of the Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Troops and for its association with the development and use of chemical agents.
3. **33rd Central Scientific Research and Testing Institute of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation:** Sanctioned for being a subordinate unit of the Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Troops and for its association with the development and use of chemical agents.
**3. Main Provisions Important for its Use:**
* **Targeted Sanctions:** The regulation directly targets specific entities believed to be involved in the proliferation and use of chemical weapons.
* **Asset Freezes and Travel Bans:** While not explicitly stated in this implementing regulation, the restrictive measures outlined in the original Regulation (EU) 2018/1542 typically include asset freezes and travel bans for listed entities and individuals.
* **Direct Applicability:** The regulation is directly applicable in all EU Member States, meaning it does not require further national legislation to be implemented.
**:** The regulation is related to the war in Ukraine. The use of riot control agents (CS gas) as a method of warfare in Ukraine is a key justification for the sanctions.
