Since March 2014, the EU has progressively imposed restrictive measures against Russia. The measures were adopted in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the deliberate destabilization of Ukraine.
The EU imposes different types of restrictive measures:
diplomatic measures
individual restrictive measures (asset freeze and travel restrictions)
restrictions on economic relations with Crimea and Sevastopol
economic sanctions
restrictions on economic cooperation
Below you can find more information on each type of restrictive measures.
Diplomatic measures
In 2014, the EU-Russia summit was cancelled and EU member states decided not to hold regular bilateral summits. Bilateral talks with Russia on visa matters as well as on the new agreement between the EU and Russia were suspended.
Instead of the G8 summit in Sochi, a G7 meeting was held in Brussels on 4-5 June 2014. Since then, meetings have continued within the G7 process.
EU countries also supported the suspension of negotiations over Russia’s joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Individual restrictive measures
Asset freeze and travel restrictions
170 people and 44 entities are subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban because their actions undermined Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.
The measures were introduced in March 2014. They were last extended in September 2019 until 15 March 2020.
Misappropriation of Ukrainian state funds
In March 2014, the Council decided to freeze the assets of individuals responsible for the misappropriation of Ukrainian state funds. These measures were last extended in March 2019 until 6 March 2020.
Restrictions on economic relations with Crimea and Sevastopol
The Council adopted restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation.
The measures apply to EU persons and EU based companies. They are limited to the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol.
These measures include:
an import ban on goods from Crimea and Sevastopol
restrictions on trade and investment related to certain economic sectors and infrastructure projects
a prohibition to supply tourism services in Crimea or Sevastopol
an export ban for certain goods and technologies
On 20 June 2019, the Council extended these measures until 23 June 2020.
Economic sanctions targeting exchanges with Russia in specific economic sectors
In July and September 2014, the EU imposed economic sanctions targeting exchanges with Russia in specific economic sectors.
In March 2015, EU leaders decided to align the existing sanctions regime to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements, foreseen for the end of December 2015. Since this did not happen, the Council extended economic sanctions until 31 July 2016.
The economic sanctions have been extended for 6 months successively since 1 July 2016.
The extension was decided each time following an assessment of the Minsk agreements implementation. The economic sanctions are currently extended until 31 July 2020.
These restrictive measures:
limit access to EU primary and secondary capital markets for certain Russian banks and companies
impose an export and import ban on trade in arms
establish an export ban for dual-use goods for military use or military end users in Russia
curtail Russian access to certain sensitive technologies and services that can be used for oil production and exploration
Measures concerning economic cooperation
Restrictions on economic cooperation were introduced by EU leaders in July 2014:
the EIB was requested to suspend the signature of new financing operations in the Russian Federation
EU member states agreed to coordinate their positions within the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Board of Directors with a view to also suspend the financing of new operations
the implementation of EU bilateral and regional cooperation programmes with Russia was re-assessed and certain programmes suspended
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