EU extends sanctions against Russia until the end of February 2024

The EU Council decided to extend the sanctions imposed on Russia due to the situation in Ukraine until February 24 next year, the corresponding decision was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The decision comes into force the next day after publication, the document says.

Earlier, the EU Council extended the anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the EU for six months, until July 31. Sectoral sanctions, which Brussels first imposed after the annexation of Crimea, have been significantly expanded after February 2022.

Since the beginning of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, the EU has imposed nine packages of sanctions against Russia. Brussels calls the goal of sanctions pressure an attempt to weaken "the ability of the Russian government to finance aggression against Ukraine."

The restrictions now apply to trade, finance, technology and dual-use goods, industry, transport and luxury goods. In addition, the sanctions prohibit the import or shipping of crude oil and certain petroleum products from Russia to the EU by sea. The restrictions also include the disconnection of a number of Russian banks from the SWIFT financial messaging system and the suspension of broadcasting of several Russian media.

Now the EU is discussing a new, tenth package of sanctions, it is supposed to be adopted by February 24, despite disagreements on this issue in the alliance, said the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell. The EU leadership did not specify the details of this package of restrictions. Bloomberg wrote about measures against the export of Russian diamonds, and Reuters sources talked about the discussion of sanctions against the Russian nuclear industry, which Poland and Lithuania are particularly insisting on.

By mid-February, the European Commission abandoned its intention to limit the nuclear industry, Politico wrote, citing sources, one of whom explained the situation with the position of Hungary. Budapest, he said, recalled that the nuclear power plant in the country is supported by Rosatom, it produces half of the energy Hungary needs.

The Russian authorities call the imposed sanctions illegitimate, and also believe that these restrictions cause problems in the European Union itself.