EU extends sanctions against Russia for another year for annexation of Crimea

On Monday, June 16, the Council of the European Union extended until June 23, 2026, the sanctions imposed in response to Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

According to the Council's press service, the EU does not recognize and continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation as a violation of international law. The EU Council also recalled that the current restrictive measures were first introduced in June 2014 and include bans on imports into the EU of goods originating in the illegally annexed Crimea or Sevastopol, as well as on infrastructure or financial investments and tourism services from the illegally annexed Crimea or Sevastopol.

In addition, the EU sanctions prohibit the export of certain goods and technologies to Crimean companies either for use in the illegally annexed Crimea in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors or for the exploration, development and production of oil, gas and mineral resources.

"Since 2022, Russia has continued to violate Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity with its unprovoked and unjustified aggressive war against Ukraine. The EU remains unwavering in its commitment to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and its right to self-defense against Russian aggression, and is committed to the full implementation of its non-recognition policy," the EU Council said.

Earlier, the EU adopted the 17th package of sanctions, which for the first time included restrictions for the looting of Ukrainian cultural heritage - they included Olena Morozova, director of theChersonesos Tavriya Museum. The sanctions also targeted oil producers and military technology suppliers. In addition, the sanctions covered almost 200 vessels of the Russian shadow fleet and are aimed at combating hybrid threats and protecting human rights.

The sanctions against the aggressor country were meant to serve as a punishment - a clear political and economic response to its crimes. But with every year of war, they are increasingly turning into a bargaining chip or a source of profit. According to Inna Ukhanova, head of the Department of International Economic Relations at Odesa National Economic University, in a commentary for Intent, such schemes allow Russia to make considerable profits - goods change their country of origin, which makes it much more difficult to track them.

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