On 19 December, the European Council extended the application of economic sanctions targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy for a further six months until 31 July 2017. These restrictions were introduced on 31 July 2014 by way of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 “concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine”. These sanctions target Russia’s defense, energy and financial sectors, and restrict trade in dual-use goods and Russian banks’ access to EU capital markets. Decision (CFSP) 2016/2315 amends Decision 2014/512/CFSP.
