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European Union extends economic sanctions against Russia by six months

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

30.06.2025 | 16:59

The Council of the European Union today decided to extend the extensive economic sanctions against Russia until 31 January 2026. The sanctions aim to limit Russia's ability to finance the war against Ukraine and to increase pressure to comply with international law.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that with the extension of economic sanctions, more than €200 billion of Russian state assets will remain frozen in the EU.

Tsahkna stressed that the extension of sanctions is an important step, but it is not enough: "Russia continues its brutal aggression against Ukraine. Therefore, Europe must not remain passive. It is imperative that the European Union adopts the 18th package of sanctions as soon as possible, which will further target the Russian military industry, the energy carriers that finance it and the circumvention of sanctions."

"We cannot merely react - we must lead the way. Estonia considers it important that the package also includes the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, additional measures to prevent the activities of the shadow fleet, and that the price cap on oil be lowered to $45 per barrel," the foreign minister stressed, expressing hope that progress with the additional sanctions package will be made this week. "Besides extending sanctions, we also need to move forward with a solution to mobilise frozen Russian state assets to help Ukraine, as the damage caused by Russia in Ukraine already amounts to more than €500 billion and Ukraine needs this money now."

"The message must be unambiguous: the European Union does not accept the status quo. In order to protect Ukraine's freedom, European security and international law, we must proceed with new, even stronger measures," the foreign minister added. "Estonia will continue to work with partners to strengthen sanctions and fully support Ukraine until its victory."