Russian Senator Says Extended Sanctions on Moscow Sign of EU’s 'Inertia'

The EU’s decision to extend economic sanctions on Russia proves the bloc would rather stick with the status quo than come up with a new approach to the issue, a Russian senator said.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — European Council President Donald Tusk said earlier 28 EU leaders had agreed at the summit talks in Brussels to prolong restrictions on Moscow for another six months.

"The new extension of EU sanctions means no policy and, instead, the willingness to maintain the status quo. No one believes in sanctions anymore. Inertia," Alexey Pushkov tweeted.

Новое продление санкций со ст.ЕС означает отсутствие политики, вместо нее — подтверждение статус-кво. В санкции уже никто не верит. Инерция.

— Алексей Пушков (@Alexey_Pushkov) June 22, 2017

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The bloc introduced economic sanctions on Moscow in 2014 after Crimea's reunification with Russia. Among the key restrictions are a ban on long-term loans to major Russian banks, energy and defense companies, and curbs on exports of equipment and technology for offshore and shale oil production to Russia. Special restrictions, including a ban on investment, target Crimea and Sevastopol.