The European Union has reportedly extended its sanctions regime against Russia for another six months, according to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. The decision was made possible after Slovakia, which had initially opposed the extension, withdrew its opposition. EU sanctions require unanimous approval from all member states.
According to the report, Slovakia had requested that two named individuals be removed from the sanctions list. Diplomatic sources indicated that Slovakia did not get what it demanded, though two unspecified names were reportedly removed from the list. Five deceased individuals were also removed from the sanctions list.
The European Council stated that the extension of sanctions, which were originally implemented in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, could be adopted the day before the previous sanctions regime was set to expire. The decision represents continued EU unity on maintaining pressure on Russia despite some member state reservations.