The Council of the European Union has extended economic sanctions against Russia until July 31, 2026, in response to the aggression in Ukraine.

The Council of the European Union decided on Monday to renew the economic sanctions imposed on Russia for the war in Ukraine, extending them until July 31, 2026. These sanctions target various sectors, including trade, finance, energy, technology, and luxury goods. Specific measures include the ban on the import of coal and petroleum products from Russia, excluding certain Russian banks from the SWIFT payment system, and the suspension of broadcasting activities of Kremlin-backed disinformation channels.

The EU Council emphasized that maintaining these measures is essential as long as Russia continues to violate international law. Economic sanctions were initiated in 2014, following the annexation of Crimea, and have been significantly expanded following the aggression in 2022. The EU also imposes sanctions against individuals and legal entities, including travel bans and asset freezes.