EU agrees for first time to extend sanctions against Russia for full year
Illustrative photo: The EU will extend sanctions against Russia for another year (Getty Images)
The European Union will extend sectoral economic sanctions against Russia for another 12 months, states Europe editor at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Rikard Jozwiak on Twitter (X).
Details of the decision
According to the journalist, the relevant decision has just been approved by the ambassadors of EU member states.
The restrictions will remain in force for at least the next year.
Extension of sanctions against Russia
Leaders of the European Union have agreed on a historic decision to extend restrictions against Russia for 12 months at once. Previously, the EU renewed these economic measures only for six-month periods, which required unanimous approval from all member states every six months.
The change in procedure and the shift to an annual format will significantly reduce the frequency of complex political negotiations within the bloc.
Previous years have shown that this approach is necessary, as pro-Russian leaders of some European states have regularly attempted to pressure the EU and blackmail their counterparts by blocking or delaying sanctions packages in order to secure their own political or economic concessions.
Sanctions against Russia
Earlier, the Europe correspondent of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Rikard Jozwiak, reported that EU leaders plan to approve an extension of sectoral sanctions against Russia for 12 months instead of the usual six.
This move is synchronized with preparations for new economic strikes against the Kremlin.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that EU leaders will extend sanctions against Russia for twice as long as usual, while the main focus of the next package of restrictions will target the aggressor’s energy sector.
At the same time, the European Union continues to significantly expand the scope of pressure. In particular, the European Commission has revealed details of the 21st sanctions package against Russia, under which the occupiers will be banned from entering Europe and more. The new measures will also affect Russian financial services, cryptocurrency transactions, trade, and — for the first time — the fishing sector.
