Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: Council extends economic sanctions for another year
The Council renewed today the EU restrictive measures in view of the Russian Federation’s continuing actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine for a further 12 months, until 31 July 2027. The decision follows the European Council on 18-19 June 2026, where EU leaders agreed to extend the economic sanctions against Russia for twelve months.
These economic measures, first introduced in 2014, were significantly expanded since February 2022 in response to Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified and illegal military aggression against Ukraine.
Existing measures cover key sectors, including trade, finance, energy, and dual-use technology. They also cover a ban on the import or transfer of seaborne crude oil and certain petroleum products from Russia to the EU, transaction ban on several financial institutions and crypto service providers in Russia and in 3rd states and the suspension of the broadcasting activities and licenses in the European Union of several Kremlin-backed disinformation outlets. Additionally, specific measures enable the EU to counter sanctions circumvention.
The EU will keep the current measures in place and stands ready to take additional measures as long as the Russian Federation continues its illegal actions and violations of the fundamental rules of international law, including, in particular, the prohibition on the use of force.
Background
On 31 July 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine.
In addition to the economic sanctions on the Russian Federation, the EU has in place different types of measures in response to Russia’s destabilising actions against Ukraine. These include: restrictions on economic relations with the illegally annexed Crimea and the city of Sevastopol as well as the non-government controlled areas of Ukraine in the oblasts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia; individual restrictive measures (asset freezes and travel restrictions) on a broad range of individuals and entities, and diplomatic measures.
Since 24 February 2022, the EU has adopted 20 unprecedented and hard-hitting packages of sanctions in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In its conclusions of 18 June 2026, the European Council reaffirmed its continued firm and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The EU will continue to provide, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people.
The European Council also stated that the EU remains determined to further increase pressure on Russia and continue weakening Russia’s war economy so that it stops its brutal war of aggression and engages in meaningful negotiations towards peace. It reiterated the importance of further reducing Russia’s energy revenues, curbing its shadow fleet operations and further constraining its banking system, and called for the swift adoption of the 21st sanctions package.
The European Council supports diplomatic efforts to bring Russia’s war of aggression to an end and underlines the EU’s readiness to step up its engagement in that context, in accordance with the EU’s aim to promote peace, as enshrined in the Treaties. Europe has a key role to play in a future settlement and stands ready to defend its interests.
European Council conclusions, 18 and 19 June 2026
Russia's war against Ukraine (background information)
Russia's war against Ukraine: EU sanctions (background information)