EU ambassadors approve extension of sanctions against Russia - journalist

20.02.2019 13:57

Ukrinform

The ambassadors of the EU member states have approved a six-month extension of sanctions against Russia imposed for its aggression against Ukraine, a Brussels-based reporter at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Rikard Jozwiak has reported on Twitter.

"EU ambassadors have decided to prolong the asset freezes and visa bans on 163 people and 44 entities responsible for undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine," he wrote.

According to Jozwiak, it is expected that the decision to extend the anti-Russian sanctions will officially come into force in early March.

The journalist also added that eight more persons would be added later to the sanctions list for their involvement in aggression in the Sea of Azov.

The European Union in July 2014 introduced economic sanctions against Russia for its annexation of Crimea and actions destabilizing the situation in eastern Ukraine. The sanctions were strengthened in September 2014.

In March 2015, the European Council linked the effect of restrictive measures with Russia's failure to comply with the Minsk Agreements. Since then, the EU has been considering the extension of economic sanctions against Russia every six months.