The European Union has extended sanctions against individuals and entities deemed to support Russia's war against Ukraine for six months, following a deadlock due to vetoes by Hungary and Slovakia.
The Council, the EU body representing the 27 EU members, said restrictive measures targeting those responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine had been extended until September 15.
The 27-nation bloc lifted sanctions on two individuals and removed five dead people from the list. One of the two living individuals removed was Niels Troost, a Dutchman placed on the sanctions list for trading Russian oil, according to an EU diplomat.
Around 2,600 individuals and entities are subject to measures, including travel restrictions, asset freezes and a ban on making funds or other economic resources available to the listed individuals or entities. The EU sanctions have been continuously expanded since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Hungary and Slovakia had previously requested that a number of Russian oligarchs be removed from the sanctions list, EU diplomats said.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged the European Union on Monday to lift sanctions on Russian energy over rising prices, fueled by the war in Iran. Hungary and Slovakia have also raised issues with Ukraine over Russian oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline.
