the European Union has extended economic sanctions against Russia by six months until January 31, 2021, announced today, the European Council.
the leaders of the EU agreed to extend sanctions at the summit on June 19 after discussion of the status of the Minsk agreements in place to ensure the peaceful settlement in Eastern Ukraine after Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.
“Given that full implementation was not yet achieved, EU leaders made a political decision to extend economic sanctions against Russia”, - stated in the message of the European Council.
These restrictive measures were originally introduced in 2014, as a result of the destabilizing action of Russia against Ukraine and focused on the financial, energy and defense sectors, as well as dual-use items.
Sanctions restrict the access of some Russian banks and companies to the primary and secondary markets of the EU and prohibit financial support and mediation for Russian financial institutions. These measures also prohibit the direct or indirect import, export or transfer of all equipment associated with the defense and banned dual-use items that can have military use or can be used by military end users in Russia.
