EU extends sanctions over Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine for six months

The Council of the European Union adopted the decision today, January 27.

"The Council today decided to prolong by six months, until 31 July 2023, the restrictive measures targeting specific sectors of the economy of the Russian Federation," the statement said.

The EU Council recalled that the sanctions, first introduced in 2014 in response to Russia's actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, have been significantly expanded since February 2022, after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"The sanctions currently consist of a broad spectrum of sectoral measures, including restrictions on trade, finance, technology and dual-use goods, industry, transport and luxury goods. They also cover: a ban on the import or transfer of seaborne crude oil and certain petroleum products from Russia to the EU, a de-SWIFTing of several Russian banks, and the suspension of the broadcasting activities and licences of several Kremlin-backed disinformation outlets," the EU Council added.

In addition to economic sanctions against the Russian Federation, there are other restrictive EU measures in place in response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine. These include: restrictions on economic relations with the illegally annexed Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions; individual restrictive measures (asset freezes and travel restrictions) on a broad range of individuals and legal entities, as well as diplomatic measures.

"In the face of Russia's war of aggression, the EU stands resolutely with Ukraine and its people, and is unwavering in its support of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders," the EU Council emphasized.

As Reuters reported on January 20, citing diplomatic sources, EU countries are working on the tenth package of sanctions against Russia. It is planned to come into force in February - on the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.