EU set to impose sanctions on Russia's Wagner mercenary group

EU foreign ministers have agreed to draw up more sanctions on Russian mercenary group Wagner over its involvement in a string of conflict zones, specifically in Africa and the Middle East. 

Wagner group mercenary pictured in Central African Republic © Franceinfo

Speaking after Monday's meeting in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said consensus had been reached "to move forward in order to take restrictive measures against this group." 

Sanction proposals will now be drafted by European Union experts and discussed further when foreign ministers meet again in December, he added. 

The Wagner private military outfit, which Western capitals see as closely linked to the Kremlin, has been tied to conflicts in Ukraine, Africa and the Middle East. 

The European Union is readying new sanctions for Wagner, the Russian mercenary group with alleged links to the Kremlin, France’s foreign minister said Monday https://t.co/zC1ywI6cJE

— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) November 15, 2021

Wagner operations in Sahel

EU member France has been spearheading the moves to target Wagner. 

Paris fiercely opposes a reported deal between the group and Mali's military junta to send 1,000 contractors to fight jihadists operating in the country. 

• France's defence minister warns Mali against Russian 'mercenary' firm
• France up in arms over prospect of Russian mercenaries training soldiers in Mali

In 2020, the EU blacklisted Wagner's alleged financier Yevgeny Prigozhin - a close ally of Russia's President Vladimir Putin - over the group's involvement in Libya. 

The Kremlin denies it has ties to the mercenary firm. 

In addition to targeting Wagner, France also pushed EU counterparts to move forward on sanctioning Mali's military leadership in the wake of their coup. 

Borrell said foreign ministers agreed to set up a legal framework that would allow Brussels to target those blocking the promised transition back to civilian rule.