European Union: Adopted Tenth Russian sanctions package including service access restrictions on Russian media outlets

On 25 February 2023, the Council of the European Union (EU) adopted the tenth package of sanctions against Russia. The tenth package of sanctions expands the list of Russian media outlets banned in the EU. In particular, the EU will suspend the licences of two media outlets, RT Arabic and Sputnik Arabic, banning their broadcasting in the EU. The Council stated that the ban on broadcasting would not infringe on the media outlets' freedoms outlined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, noting that they would be allowed to conduct interviews and research in the EU.