EU foreign ministers adopted a 16th package of sanctions against Russia on, which targets a cryptocurrency exchange for the first time, a Council statement said.

"The package extends the flight ban to enable the listing of third-country carriers conducting domestic flights within Russia or supplying aviation goods to Russian airlines or fo

BRUSSELS -- The European Union on Monday began easing energy and transport sanctions and banking restrictions against Syria, aiming to help breathe life into the conflict-torn country’s economy if its new leaders work toward a peaceful future.

European Union countries on Monday suspended a range of sanctions against Syria with immediate effect, including restrictions related to energy, banking, transport and reconstruction. The EU has a range of sanctions in place targeting both individuals and economic sectors in Syria.

The European Union has agreed to partially suspend several sanctions on Syria’s energy industry, including scrapping bans on importing crude from the country and on exporting technologies to the oil and gas industry.