EU extends sanctions on Russia until February 2027

The Council of the European Union has extended sanctions against Russia until February 24, 2027, as published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

According to the statement, the decision on restrictive measures should be extended until 24 February 2027.

The EU emphasised that it is appropriate “to maintain in force all the measures imposed by the Union.” The extension takes effect the day after publication, on February 24, 2026.

The European Union imposed its first sanctions on Russia in 2014 following the illegal annexation of Crimea and expanded them significantly after Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022; these measures have targeted economic sectors, individuals, trade and energy to pressure Moscow to halt its aggression and undermine its war‑financing capabilities.

Since 2022, the EU has repeatedly adopted multiple packages of restrictive measures against Russia — including on energy imports (like LNG bans), financial transactions, shipping and technology supplies — designed to diminish Russia’s economic base and limit its access to key markets and services.

Beyond broad economic sanctions, the EU also maintains individual targeted measures — asset freezes, travel bans and restrictions on access to financial systems — against Russian officials, oligarchs and entities involved in the war, hybrid interference and human‑rights abuses.

By Jeyhun Aghazada