DISINFO: Sanctions against Russia are illegal
SUMMARY
Western countries allege they started expelling Russian diplomats for their claims regarding Bucha, but they had already started doing it before the claims were made. The expulsions and Poland's decision to freeze the account of the local embassy are illegal.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the illegality of the sanctions.
Expelling diplomats is not illegal, Russia itself has done so in the past. Poland reasoned that the diplomats they expelled were "using their diplomatic status, but in reality conduct intelligence activities against Poland." Poland has not confirmed that they froze the Russian Embassy's bank accounts.
As for the EU sanctions, these are legitimate restrictions imposed in accordance with international and European law as a response to violations of international legalities, such as Russia’s actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The EU established the sanctions regime under its laws, specifically Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, "concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine."
International sanctions were put on Russia after it illegally annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and instigated a separatist revolt in the Eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in 2014. Another set of restrictive measures was imposed on Russia in the wake of its the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Aleksey Navalny. Stronger sanctions were levelled at Russia after its unjustified military aggression against Ukraine which started on 24 February 2022. The invasion was followed by airstrikes on military objects. Right after, Russian forces started bombing and shelling civilian targets as well.
Read more about the EU response and support for Ukraine. See our guide to deciphering pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's war.