EU Extends Economic Sanctions Against Russia by Six Months

On 28 June 2017, the European Council extended the economic sanctions targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy until 31 January 2018. These sanctions were originally introduced on 31 July 2014 in response to Russia’s actions destablising the situation in Ukraine and to target the financial, energy and defence sectors, as well as dual-use goods. The EU has expressed that the sanctions against Russia should continue until Russia fully complies with the Minsk agreements. Council Decision 2017/1148 amends Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP.