The EU has progressively imposed sanctions and restrictive measures against Russia since 2014 in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea.
In March 2015, EU leaders decided to link the existing economic sanctions regime to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements. Since Russia has never fully implemented the agreements, the EU has successively extended the sanctions.
In 2022, the EU adopted new sanctions to respond to Russia’s decision to recognise the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk and to invade Ukraine.
EU sanctions against Russia over Ukraine
Economic sanctions against sectors of the Russian economy
- finance
- energy
- transport
- technology
- defence
- trade
In place until: 31/07/2022
Renewed: every 6 months based on an assessment of the Minsk agreements implementation
The Minsk agreements are a roadmap for ending the war in eastern Ukraine. They were never fully implemented.
Finance and trade measures target also to Belarus.
Sanctions against individuals and entities
Target 862 people 53 entities responsible for undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence
Individuals targeted include 22 Belarusians, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov.
The sanctions include an asset freeze and travel restrictions.
- Assets of those sanctioned in the EU are frozen
- No funds should be made available to people sanctioned
- Sanctioned individuals cannot travel to the EU
In place until: 15/09/2022
Renewed: every 6 months
Restrictions on business in non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk
- Import ban on goods from the territory
- Export ban on certain goods and technologies
- Ban on tourism services
In place until: 24/02/2023
Renewed: every 12 months
Restrictions on business in Crimea and Sevastopol
- Import ban on goods from the territory
- Export ban on certain goods and technologies
- Ban on tourism services
In place until: 23/06/2022
Renewed: every 12 months
Diplomatic measures
- Regular EU-Russia summits are suspended
- Russia is no longer invited to G8 meetings
- Diplomats and business people can no longer benefit from visa facilitation provisions
Restrictions on media
Suspension of the broadcasting activities in the EU of the outlets Sputnik and Russia Today until:
- the military aggression against Ukraine is brought to an end
- Russia and its associated outlets cease conducting disinformation and information manipulation actions
Restriction on economic cooperation
No new lending to Russia by the:
- European Investment Bank (EIB)
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
For more information on EU sanctions against Russia, see:
- EU restrictive measures in response to the crisis in Ukraine (background information)
- List of persons and entities under EU restrictive measures over the territorial integrity of Ukraine (Official Journal of the EU)
