Russia: EU prolongs economic sanctions by six months

The Council of the European Union decided on 1 July 2016 to extend the economic sanctions targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy until 31 January 2017.

These measures were first introduced in July 2014 in response to Russia's destabilising actions in Ukraine and reinforced in September 2014. In March 2015, the Council decided to link the duration of these sanctions to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements. Since then, the sanctions were further renewed in December 2015.

The economic sanctions renewed on this occasion are separate from another set of sanctions connected to Russia's annexation of Crimea.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU expected to extend Russia economic sanctions http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-expected-to-extend-russia-economic-sanctions/

The Wall Street Journal, 01.07.16: EU Extends Economic Sanctions on Russia by Six Months http://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-extends-economic-sanctions-on-russia-by-six-months-1467374482

RT, 01.07.16: EU extends sanctions against Russia for another six months https://www.rt.com/business/349136-eu-extends-russia-sanctions/

Politico, 01.07.16: EU extends economic sanctions on Russia through next year http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-extends-economic-sanctions-on-russia-through-next-year/

Sputnik International, 01.07.16: EU Extends Sanctions Against Russia Until End of January 2017 http://sptnkne.ws/bApe

The Moscow Times, 01.07.16: EU Extends Sanctions Against Russia For Six Months http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/eu-extends-sanctions-against-russia-for-six-months/574060.html

The Guardian, 21.06.16: EU to extend sanctions against Russia https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/21/eu-to-extend-sanctions-against-russia

EUObserver, 21.06.16: EU ministers give tacit accord to Russia sanctions https://euobserver.com/foreign/133916

Euronews, 21.06.16: EU extends sanctions against Russia for another six months http://www.euronews.com/2016/06/21/eu-extends-sanctions-against-russia-for-another-six-months/

Deutsche Welle, 21.06.16: EU to extend Russia economic sanctions for another six months http://dw.com/p/1JAZ2

Radio Poland, 21.06.16: EU set to extend sanctions against Russia http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/258256,EU-set-to-extend-sanctions-against-Russia

EurActiv, 08.07.16: Cyprus parliament calls for end to EU sanctions on Russia http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/cyprus-parliament-calls-for-end-to-eu-sanctions-on-russia/

EUObserver, 08.07.16: Cypriot MPs call to lift Russia sanctions https://euobserver.com/foreign/134253

EurActiv, 19.08.16: Merkel: No end to EU sanctions against Russia http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/merkel-no-end-to-eu-sanctions-against-russia/

EurActiv, 29.08.16: Keep EU sanctions on Russia, says Lithuania’s foreign minister http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/keep-eu-sanctions-on-russia-says-lithuanias-foreign-minister/

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