June 19, 2026, 06:42June 19, 2026, 06:42
For the first time, the EU is extending its economic sanctions against Russia not just by six, but by twelve months. The heads of state and government of the member states made a corresponding decision in the evening at their June summit in Brussels, as a spokeswoman for Council President António Costa announced.
Giorgia Meloni, Kaja Kallas and Roberta Metsola at the EU summit on Thursday.Image: keystone
In recent years, the then Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had always blocked a one-year extension. The new Prime Minister Péter Magyar is considered to be significantly more critical of Russia than his predecessor, who maintained close contacts with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
The EU’s economic sanctions against Russia because of the war of aggression against Ukraine include, in particular, restrictions on trade, finance, the energy sector, as well as on industry, transport and luxury goods. There is also a ban on the import of Russian crude oil by sea, and a number of Russian banks have been disconnected from the Swift financial communications system.
The text of the law extending the sanctions is expected to be decided by the Council of Ministers in the next few weeks. This is considered a formality.
EU plans new sanctions
A summit statement on the Ukraine war said that the European Union remains determined to “continue to increase pressure on Russia and further weaken the Russian war economy so that Russia ends its brutal war of aggression and begins serious peace negotiations.” There should be further steps to reduce Russian energy revenues, curb the activities of the Russian shadow fleet and isolate the Russian banking system.
At the same time, the heads of state and government are once again calling on Russia to stop all attacks. The country must show a real desire for peace, agree to a complete, unconditional and immediate ceasefire and begin serious negotiations.
Bulgaria blocked
For the first time since December 2024, all 27 member states agreed to the declarations on Ukraine. This was also made possible by Orban’s deselection. However, the fact that Bulgaria’s new Prime Minister Rumen Radev rejects parts of the planned next EU sanctions package is a downer for supporters of Ukraine.
Bulgaria’s new Prime Minister Rumen Radev shakes hands with Zelensky.Image: keystone
Radev confirmed at the summit that he wants to prevent sanctions against the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and also individual economic punitive measures. He said that no sanctions would be allowed that would harm or pose risks to the Bulgarian economy. As an example, he cited sanctions against the Russian energy giant Lukoil. (dab/sda/dpa)