The EU Council formally prolonged sanctions against Russia. It was reported on Monday by news agency Tass referring to the press service of the Council.

The decisions has been agreed by all EU Member States on 18 December.

The decision will come into force on Tuesday, 22 December, following the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. As previously reported by the media, with reference to European diplomatic sources, the procedure for the prolongation is of technical nature and no change will follow in the context of the sanctions.

The period of validity of the EU sanctions against Russia was to expire on January 31, 2016. However, last Friday the Board of Permanent Representatives of the EU (COREPER) approved the prolongation of the restrictive measures until 31 July 2016.

Anyway, sanctions can become a good possibility for Russia and its people to develop its own industry and agriculture, as well as implement fully independent domestic and international policies.