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The Committee of regular representatives of the EU countries decided to extend the sanctions of the European Union against Russia for six months, until July 31, 2016. It is reported by Reuters with reference to a diplomatic source.

On Monday, the decision will enter into force after approval by the Council of the European Union and the next day will be published in the EU official journal. However, before that, any of the EU member countries has the right to withdraw their voice and present a written objection.

On November 21, Reuters, citing a European diplomat, reported that the United States and the leading EU countries agreed to extend economic sanctions for six months. The confidential agreement was reached during the meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Turkish Antalya. The meeting was attended by the Federal Chancellor of Angela Merkel, US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, the head of the Italian Government Matteo Renzi and the head of the French Foreign Ministry Laurent Fabius, representing President Francois Olland.

Sanctions against Russia can be lifted if Moscow will cooperate with the West in resolving the conflict in Ukraine and the Syrian question, then the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said. “If in the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict we will continue to successfully overcome obstacles and if Russia in the Syrian conflict will continue to work with us to work with us, then the West will not and will not be able to exclude Russia from the discussion between the leading Western powers,” the minister said. When fulfilling these conditions, he also did not exclude the possibility of Russia's return to the G8.

On November 19, The Wall Street Journal reported that the EU did not want to "at the cost of Ukraine" to receive Moscow help in the fight against the Islamic State. According to the publication, three possible options for continuing the sanctions policy are considered: extension of restrictive measures for six months, a year or for only three to four months. A reduction in the deadline will be possible only if a real change in Moscow’s position on the Ukrainian issue.

The sectoral sanctions of the European Union, adopted due to aggression of Russia in Ukraine, came into force on August 1, 2014 . They were introduced for a period of 1 year. Restrictive measures affected the banking and oil sector, the defense and industrial complex, dual-use products and technology. In particular, a ban on the supply of equipment for the oil industry, on technological cooperation with Russia in the development of Arctic shelf and shale deposits was introduced. The EU also introduced the embargo for weapons with Russia and the export of dual -purpose technologies.

In September 2014, the European Union strengthened sanctions against Russia . The sanctions list included new companies, and the period for which it is allowed to attract credit funds was reduced from 90 to 30 days. In June, foreign ministers of countries - members of the European Union extended the effect of sanctions against Russia for six months, until January 31, 2016.