EU prolongs Russia sectoral sanctions until 31 July 2019

As foreshadowed, the EU today prolonged its sanctions targeting the financial, energy and defence sectors of the Russian economy until 31 July 2019. This decision was reached due to “no progress” having been made on the implementation of the Minsk agreements, to which these sanctions are linked.

The EU measures were originally introduced in July 2014 for 1 year (and strengthened in September 2014) in response to “Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine”. They have been renewed every 6 months since. See Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/2078 and EU Press Release.