The article discusses the EU sanctions against the Russian Federation, which were introduced in March 2014 after the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol. The sanctions include freezing of assets, restrictions on financial transactions, and embargo on dual-use technology. The article also mentions the countersanctions imposed by Russia targeting European agrarian products. The official aim of the sanctions was to make Russia comply with the Minsk ceasefire accord signed with Ukraine in February 2014.