EU extends economic sanctions against Russia

BRUSSELS -- The Council of the European Union (EU) on Monday extended its restrictive economic measures against Russia for a further six months.

Due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the sanctions would be extended until July 31, said the EU Council in a press release.

Additionally, specific measures were introduced to strengthen the EU's ability to counter circumvention of sanctions, it added.

As long as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues, the EU says it will maintain in force all the measures and will take additional measures, if necessary.

The EU has so far adopted 12 packages of sanctions against Russia, and Russia, in response, has taken countermeasures.