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EU Council extends economic sanctions against Russia for six months — source

The sanctions against Russia have been prolonged until July 31, 2018

EU summit in Brussels Julien Warnand, Pool Photo via AP

EU summit in Brussels

© Julien Warnand, Pool Photo via AP

BRUSSELS, December 21. /TASS/. The European Union took a formal decision on extension of sanctions against Russia for six months until July 31, 2018, a source in the EU institutions told TASS on Thursday. The political decision to prolong restrictions was made at the EU summit on December 14-15 in Brussels.

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"The EU Council made a decision under the written procedure to extend sanctions for six months," the source said.

The EU summit stated lack of progress in Minsk Agreements, which means giving the green light for extension of sanctions, the source in the EU told TASS earlier. Sanctions would be prolonged by six months, he said.

The EU’s economic sectoral sanctions against Russia are in effect until the end of January 2018. These measures include financial restrictions on Russia’s leading defense and energy companies, as well as large banks with state participation. In addition, they imply a ban on imports of military and energy technology and high-tech equipment to Russia.

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