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EU extends economic sanctions against Russia

The measures have been prolonged until July 31, 2021

© AP Photo/Francisco Seco

BRUSSELS, December 17. /TASS/. The European Union has extended economic sanctions against Russia expiring on January 31 for six months, the EU Council said on Thursday.

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EU extends economic sanctions against Russia

"The Council today decided to prolong the restrictive measures currently targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy until 31 July 2021," the EU Council said.

"The sanctions limit access to EU primary and secondary capital markets for certain Russian banks and companies and prohibit forms of financial assistance and brokering towards Russian financial institutions," the document reads. "The measures also prohibit the direct or indirect import, export or transfer of all defense-related materiel and establish a ban for dual-use goods for military use or military-end users in Russia. The sanctions further curtail Russian access to certain sensitive technologies that can be used in the Russian energy sector, for instance in oil production and exploration," according to the document.

The European Union introduced sanctions against Russia related to developments in Ukraine and reunification of Crimea with Russia in 2014. Restrictive measures were repeatedly expanded and renewed since then. Russia in its turn introduced the ban on foods import from the European Union.

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