EU extends economic sanctions against Russia for one year

The Council of the European Union extended the EU's restrictive measures in connection with the ongoing actions of the Russian Federation aimed at destabilising the situation in Ukraine for a further 12 months – until 31 July 2027.

Source: EU Council press service, as reported by European Pravda

Details: This decision was taken on 25 June following the European Council meeting of 18-19 June 2026, at which EU leaders agreed to extend economic sanctions against Russia for twelve months.

These economic measures, first introduced in 2014, have been significantly expanded since February 2022 in response to Russia's groundless, unjustified and unlawful military aggression against Ukraine.

The current measures cover key sectors, including trade, finance, energy and dual-use technology. They also include a ban on the import or maritime transport of crude oil and certain petroleum products from Russia to the EU, a ban on transactions with a number of financial institutions and cryptocurrency service providers in Russia and third countries, as well as the suspension of broadcasting activities and licences within the European Union of several Kremlin-backed disinformation outlets. In addition, specific measures allow the EU to counter sanctions circumvention.

The EU will maintain its current measures and is ready to take additional steps for as long as the Russian Federation continues its unlawful actions and violations of fundamental norms of international law, including the prohibition on the use of force.

Background:

• It was reported that at the European Council summit on 18 June, EU leaders agreed for the first time since the start of Russian aggression to extend sanctions against Russia for 12 months rather than the previous six. The previous six-month term allowed certain capitals, including Budapest, the opportunity to use it as a bargaining chip. The change became possible after Viktor Orbán's defeat in the Hungarian elections.
• During Viktor Orbán's premiership, Hungary regularly blocked EU sanctions and other decisions, demanding various concessions. Slovakia also occasionally joined in these blockades.
• Amid work on the EU's 21st Russia sanctions, opposition has come from Bulgaria over the inclusion of Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill on the list.

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