The European Union decided to extend the validity of economic sanctions against Russia for another six months – until January 31, 2026. This was announced by the EU Council.
The statement reminded that for the first time these restrictive measures were introduced in 2014 in response to the actions of Russia “to destabilize the situation in Ukraine.”
After the start of a full -scale attack on Ukraine in February 2022, sanctions were significantly expanded. They cover a wide range of areas, including trade, finances, energy (oil and coal), industry, technology, transport, dual -purpose products, luxury items, as well as gold and diamonds.
Among the current measures is the ban on imports in the EU Russian oil and oil products transported by the sea, the disconnection of a number of Russian banks from the international SWIFT system, as well as the suspension of the activities of several Russian media in the EU.
Since the beginning of the war, the EU has approved 17 packages of sanctions against Russia. The validity of economic restrictions is extended every six months.
Russia annexed the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol on March 18, 2014. The EU introduced the first economic sanctions against Moscow in the same year.