The EU decided to renew sanctions against Russia due to the annexation of Ukrainian territories last year, according to a statement from the Council of the European Union.

The bloc’s decision extends restrictive measures targeting Russian individuals and Moscow-controlled areas in Ukraine until February 24, 2024.
It also maintains restrictions on Russia’s access to EU capital markets and financial markets and services.

“The Union does not recognize and continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories by the Russian Federation as a violation of international law,” the Council of the European Union said in a statement on Monday, announcing the extension of the sanctions.

He added that the EU she is determined to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

On February 23 last year, the EU imposed sanctions on Russia over its recognition of Ukrainian territories Donetsk and Luhansk as independent
entities.

Following the annexation of Zaporizhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk, the EU on 6 October 2022 extended the geographical scope of its previous sanctions restrictions to these areas as well.