The European Union has activated 'anti-circumvention' sanctions against Kyrgyzstan to maintain the effectiveness of the sanctions regime imposed on Russia and to prevent sanctions evasion. EU officials made this decision based on allegations that Kyrgyzstan was involved in activities to circumvent sanctions applied to Russia. These sanctions expand the scope of the EU's sanction packages against Russia and are considered an important step in terms of regional cooperation and effective enforcement of sanctions. Kyrgyzstan's role in this process and the effects of the sanctions will be closely monitored in the coming period.