European Union sanctions

An essential tool of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) are restrictive measures, also known as "sanctions." They are utilized by the EU as a component of a coordinated and all-encompassing policy approach that includes political discussion, complementary actions, and the use of other tools at its disposal.

In order to advance the CFSP's goals, sanctions aim to change the behavior or policy of those who are targeted. They may go after:

Governments of non-EU nations because of their policies; entities (companies) that provide the means to carry out the targeted policies; groups or organizations, such as terrorist organizations; and people who support the targeted policies or who engage in terrorist activities, etc.