Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU extends economic sanctions for another year

On 25 June, the Council of the European Council renewed EU restrictive measures in view of the Russian Federation’s continuing actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine for a further 12 months, until 31 July 2027. The decision followed the European Council on 18-19 June 2026, where EU leaders agreed to extend the economic sanctions against Russia for twelve months.

These economic measures, first introduced in 2014, were significantly expanded since February 2022 in response to Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal military aggression against Ukraine.

Existing measures cover key sectors, including trade, finance, energy, and dual-use technology. They also cover a ban on the import or transfer of seaborne crude oil and certain petroleum products from Russia to the EU, a transaction ban on several financial institutions and crypto service providers in Russia and in third states, and the suspension of the broadcasting activities and licences in the European Union of several Kremlin-backed disinformation outlets. Additionally, specific measures enable the EU to counter sanctions circumvention.

“The EU will keep the current measures in place and stands ready to take additional measures as long as the Russian Federation continues its illegal actions and violations of the fundamental rules of international law, including, in particular, the prohibition on the use of force,” the Council said in a press release.

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Press release