The Council of Ministers of the European Union has extended the EU's restrictive measures, in light of the ongoing actions against the Russian Federation as a result of the war in Ukraine, for another 6 months, until January 31, 2026.
Following the agreement reached between EU ambassadors last Friday, the written procedure was completed on Monday. What is striking is the fact that Hungary did not use the dreaded veto, writes A2.
The measures consist of a wide range of sectoral measures, including restrictions on trade, finance, energy, technology and dual-use goods, industry, transport and luxury goods. They also include: a ban on the import or transfer of crude oil and certain petroleum products from Russia to the EU by sea, the revocation of SWIFT for some Russian banks, and the suspension of the activities and broadcasting licenses in the European Union of some Kremlin-backed disinformation sources.
In addition, specific measures allow the EU to counter sanctions evasion.
"As long as the illegal actions of the Russian Federation continue to violate fundamental norms of international law, including, in particular, the prohibition on the use of force, it is appropriate to maintain in force all measures imposed by the EU and to take additional measures, if necessary," the Council note said.
Meanwhile, according to the Kremlin, the 18th package of sanctions planned by the EU will not lead to the end of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
"Only logic and arguments can bring Russia to the negotiating table," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Moscow state television.
"It is impossible to force Russia to leave through any kind of pressure or force," he added.
Peskov expressed confidence that the new sanctions package requested by the EU will eventually be adopted. However, the tougher the sanctions, the stronger the response will be. Sanctions are a "double-edged sword," Peskov said.
Moscow consistently claims that the EU itself suffers even greater disadvantages as a result of sanctions, for example, by giving up Russian raw materials. (A2 Televizion)
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