17/12/2020 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday, 17 December, the Council of the EU extended economic sanctions against Russia for another six months—namely, until 31 July 2021—in response to its destabilising actions in Ukraine and given that Russia has not fully implemented the Minsk agreements, according to the EU Council (see EUROPE 12621/9). In particular, these measures limit access to EU capital markets for certain Russian banks and companies and prohibit any form of financial assistance or brokerage that would benefit Russian financial institutions. It is prohibited to directly or indirectly import, export, and transfer any defence-related equipment and dual-use goods that could be intended for military use or used by military end-users in Russia. Russia’s access to certain sensitive technologies that can be used in the energy sector is limited. (CG)