The Council of the EU has extended its economic sanctions against Russia for another six months, according to a press release published on 22 December 2025. The renewal follows continued actions by the Russian Federation destabilizing the situation in Ukraine.
Council extends economic sanctions against Russia through July 2026
The Council of the EU says the restrictive measures will remain in place for the further six months until the next review on 31 July 2026.
The current sanctions include a wide range of sectoral measures. These cover restrictions on trade, finance, energy, technology and dual-use goods, industry, transport, and luxury goods. Other elements of the measures include a ban on the import or transfer of seaborne crude oil and certain petroleum products from Russia to the EU, the "de-SWIFTing" of several Russian banks, and the suspension of broadcasting activities and licenses in the EU of several Kremlin-backed disinformation outlets. Specific provisions also aim to counter sanctions circumvention.
The Council says all EU-imposed measures should remain in force and additional restrictions should be imposed if needed "as long as the Russian Federation continues its illegal actions violating fundamental rules of international law" — in particular the prohibition on the use of force.
EU reiterates support for Ukraine and readiness to increase pressure
According to the press release, in its conclusions of 19 December 2024, the European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which it stated constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter.
