“This decision follows an update from President Macron and Chancellor Merkel to the European Council of 14 December 2017 on the state of implementation of the Minsk agreements,” the EU stated.
The European Council said the sanctions specifically target the financial, energy and defense sectors, and dual-use goods.
The EU first agreed to impose economic sanctions against Russia in 2014 due over Russia’s role in the Ukraine conflict.
Ukraine has been wracked by conflict since March 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea after an illegal independence vote.
The UN General Assembly voted to proclaim the Russian annexation illegal.
Russia’s annexation led Western powers, including the U.S., to impose sanctions against Moscow.
Along with the UN General Assembly, the U.S., the EU, and Turkey do not recognize Crimea as Russian territory.
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