The Council of the EU announced that it is extending until January 31, 2025 the economic sanctions against Russia imposed because of the war in Ukraine. The sanctions were initially introduced 10 years ago and extended in 2022, the announcement quoted by BTA noted.
Sanctions include restrictions on trade, finance, technology and dual-use goods, manufacturing, shipping and luxury goods. They also include a ban on the import or transshipment at sea of crude oil and certain petroleum products from Russia to the EU, the exclusion from the SWIFT international payment system of several Russian banks, and the suspension of the broadcasting and licenses of several pro-Kremlin disinformation channels.
The Council adds that the sanctions should be maintained and if necessary expanded as long as the illegal actions of the Russian Federation continue. It said that in addition to these measures, the EU imposed sanctions for the illegal occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol, as well as large parts of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporozhye, and sanctions against individuals and organizations, as well as diplomatic measures.