EU member states have prolonged restrictive measures targeting those “responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.”
The measures were extended for another 36 months and will continue until 22 September 2029.
The current restrictive measures apply to more than 3, 000 individuals and entities.
They include travel restrictions for natural persons, the freezing of assets, and a ban on making funds or other economic resources available to the listed individuals and entities.
In the context of the sanctions’ review, EU member states also decided not to renew the listings of three individuals and one entity, as well as to remove three deceased persons from the list.
An EU council spokesman said, “After 24 February 2022, in response to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, the EU massively expanded sanctions against Russia with the aim of curtailing its ability to wage war by significantly weakening Russia’s economic base and curbing its energy revenues, depriving it of critical technologies and markets, and targeting its military-industrial complex.”
In its conclusions of 18 June 2026, the European Council reaffirmed its continued “firm and unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.”
The spokesman said, “The EU will continue to provide, in coordination with like-minded partners and allies, comprehensive political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people.
“The EU remains determined to further increase pressure on Russia and continue weakening Russia’s war economy so that it stops its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and engages in meaningful negotiations towards peace.”
Meanwhile, in a speech on 17 September, EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen said “Russia was relentlessly targeting Kyiv, trying to make daily life impossible for its inhabitants.”
She spoke after the EU approved another €3.3 billion to Ukraine to procure missiles and drones. This comes after it recently also approved EU funding for Patriot systems through our Ukraine Support Loan.
She said, “We stand with them. And with all Ukrainians.But clearly more is needed.
“This is why I announced that we were ready to use remaining funds from SAFE to launch a new programme for joint EU-Ukraine defence projects.We want to develop together a European air and missile defence system, building on our joint anti-ballistic Freya system so that we can combine Ukraine’s battlefield experience and innovation with Europe’s technology and industrial strength.
“Our support goes well beyond defence.We have already mobilised nearly €15 billion for Ukraine this year.
“More is coming.We discussed the reforms needed in the Rada to unlock further funding and to keep Ukraine moving forward on its path to our Union.”
This week she is at the UN General Assembly in New York.
She said, “My message to Ukraine’s friends around the world will be simple:Europe is stepping up. Now others must step up their support too.”
