US President Donald Trump has extended sanctions against Russia for another year, citing Moscow’s annexation of Crimea, its war in Donbas and invasion of Ukraine. A presidential notice dated February 18 – scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on February 20 – ensures that the measures will remain in effect beyond March 6, 2026.
“I am extending the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13660 for 1 year,” the document states.
The sanctions regime was first introduced in 2014 during the Obama administration in response to Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. It has since been expanded through subsequent executive orders. In its latest announcement, the US government said that Russia’s actions continue to pose “an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy” of the United States.
Executive Order 13660 forms the legal basis of Washington’s sanctions architecture against Moscow.
Additional measures – including Executive Orders 14065 and 14068 issued in 2022 – expanded the restrictions following the start of Russian aggression in Ukraine. However, annual renewal is necessary to prevent automatic expiration of restrictions.