EU Extends Russia Sanctions over Ukraine Crisis Till July 31

The European Union prolonged economic sanctions against Russia, on Thursday, for six months for failing to reach a peace deal with Ukraine.

The sanctions decision came amid concern that Moscow may be preparing to invade its former Soviet neighbor.

Reports affirmed that the move is not linked to current tensions over Russia’s military buildup near Ukraine.

The measures target Russia’s financial, energy and defense sectors, as well as goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. They are part of a raft of sanctions slapped on Russia in 2014 after it annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, and are tied to respect of the 2015 Minsk peace deal.

Now, the EU renewed the sanctions, which will remain in place until at least July 31, as Russia “did not fully implement” the peace agreement.

The step will limit Russian banks and company access to EU capital markets. It will also halt all imports, exports or transfers of defense equipment, and limits Russia’s access to some “sensitive” technology used in oil production.

Notably, more than 14,000 people have been killed in fighting between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.