EU Extends Sanctions on Russia Amid Intensifying Ukraine War:EU extends sanctions on Russia till early 2026 amidst Ukraine war. Zelenskyy urges more sanctions targeting Russia’s oil and military sectors. Hungary delays support. POW swap brings emotional relief. Ukrainian army halts Russian push in Sumy.
EU Extends Sanctions on Russia Amid Intensifying Ukraine War
As the brutal conflict between Russia and Ukraine grinds on, the European Union has once again tightened its economic grip on Moscow. During a summit in Brussels, EU leaders agreed to extend sweeping sanctions on Russia for another six months. This move signals a continued commitment to pressuring the Kremlin over its ongoing aggression, with the sanctions now set to remain in place until early 2026.
One of the most impactful measures includes the continued freezing of Russian central bank assets worth $234 billion. This financial stranglehold is designed to undermine Russia’s ability to sustain its war machinery and wage prolonged military operations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the EU has already adopted 17 sanctions packages against Russia, and work is well underway on yet another powerful and targeted package aimed at further isolating Moscow economically and diplomatically.
The sanctions renewal didn’t come without tension within the bloc. Hungary, a long-time ally of Russia under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, once again delayed its support until the last possible moment.
During the renewal process in January, Hungary’s hesitation had raised fears that it might block the EU’s unanimous decision—a move that could have severely weakened the EU’s leverage over Russia. However, in the end, the decision passed, and the EU managed to present a united front.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to video to urge the European Union to not only maintain but expand the sanctions. He specifically called for the targeting of Russia’s oil trade, its shadow tanker fleet, as well as Russian banks and military supply chains. Zelenskyy’s passionate plea reflects Ukraine’s critical need for international solidarity and pressure on Moscow as the war enters a prolonged and grinding phase.
Amidst these geopolitical maneuvers, there was a rare moment of relief on the humanitarian front. Russia and Ukraine completed a new prisoner of war (POW) exchange, a result of peace talks held in Istanbul. While neither side disclosed the number of soldiers exchanged, emotional scenes followed the release.
Ukrainian soldiers, many of whom had been in captivity for over three years, returned to warm embraces with their families, wrapped in the national flag and overwhelmed with emotion. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs confirmed the prolonged detention of most of these soldiers.
On the Russian side, the defense ministry reported that its returned soldiers are currently undergoing psychological treatment in Barus, and released a video showing the troops chanting patriotic slogans.
On the battlefield, Ukraine’s military leadership claimed that it had successfully choked off Russian advancements in the northeastern border region of Sumy. According to the country’s army chief, the line of combat in the area has been stabilized after intense fighting, and he emphasized the urgent need for enhanced fortifications to defend the region further.
The war between Russia and Ukraine continues to take a heavy toll, both in human lives and global political stability. The EU’s extended sanctions, the ongoing POW exchanges, and the active combat across border regions reflect the complex and evolving nature of this conflict.
While diplomatic efforts and sanctions aim to isolate Russia, Ukraine remains on high alert, pushing back against the Russian offensive with resilience and the hope of stronger international support.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available news reports and official statements as of June 2025. The situation remains fluid, and readers are advised to refer to verified sources for real-time updates. The blog does not take responsibility for the accuracy of military claims or undisclosed information regarding POW exchanges.