The European Union has imposed sanctions on Russian military officers, hackers, and private companies, denouncing what it called a years-long cyber-espionage campaign against the bloc.

The European Council stated on Monday that those targeted “contribute to Russia’s efforts to destabilise the EU, its member states and international partners.” The espionage and attacks have taken place in at least nine countries.

The names of the individuals and entities were not disclosed. However, France, Germany, Poland, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Romania, and Finland were among the targeted nations.

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office summoned the Russian ambassador over the “unacceptable” attacks, vowing a decisive response.

The move comes as Ukraine’s Western allies prepare for meetings in Paris to secure more air-defense commitments. Ukraine has been struggling to counter intensified Russian drone and missile strikes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged allies to increase pressure on Russia, calling for new sanctions and support packages. “The pressure on Russia must work,” he said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the Paris summit as a meeting of a “coalition of warmongers” and said Russia would monitor it closely.

Source: www.aljazeera.com