Brussels: The European Council announced the extension of individual sanctions against Russia for an additional year, until October 9, 2026. The EU highlighted in a statement that these restrictive measures target 47 individuals and 15 companies responsible for Russia's destabilizing actions abroad. Those individuals also face a travel ban preventing entry into or transit through EU territories, the statement added.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the EU Council adopted a sanctions framework on October 8, 2024, in response to "Russia's destabilizing activities," targeting those engaged in policies or actions undermining the EU's fundamental values, security, stability, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as those responsible for hybrid activities against third countries and international organizations.
In May 2025, the EU expanded the scope of the sanctions to include tangible assets linked to Russian activities and their financial backers, as well as enabling the suspension of broadcasting licenses of Russian media outlets involved in disinformation.
The statement further explained that over recent years, the EU had observed "a systematic pattern of hostile behavior" attributed to Russia, including cyberattacks, sabotage, and disruption of critical infrastructure, among other actions, since the beginning of the war against Ukraine, which are likely to continue in the future.
The EU stressed it will continue to use all available tools to protect its members, deter such activities, and respond to them.