On 27 June 2019, the Council of the European Union (EU) adopted
Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1108, extending the economic sanctions
on Russia in response to Russia's actions destabilising the
situation in Ukraine until 31 January 2020.
According to the Council's press release, the decision to
prolong the sanctions followed the European Council meetings of 20
and 21 June 2019 during which Chancellor Merkel and President
Macron provided an update on the state of the implementation of the
Minsk agreements, i.e. the agreements between Ukraine and Russia to
resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Since the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, which was
foreseen to take place by 31 December 2015, has not yet happened,
the European Council called to resume the negotiations in view of
implementing the Minsk Agreements and adopting measures to rebuild
the confidence among the parties. Against this backdrop, it decided
to maintain the economic sanctions on Russia.
