Sanctions against Russia were extended by five countries
Ukraine and four more countries have agreed with the EU Council’s decision to extend sanctions against Russia until the 15th of March 2017. These sanctions were initially imposed because of Russia’s involvement in the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. This was stated in a statement by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, on the 24th of October.
“The candidate countries of Montenegro and Albania, members of the European Economic Area, Liechtenstein, Norway and Ukraine have joined in on the EU Council’s decision to extend the sanctions,” the statement said.
“They will ensure that their national policies are in line with this decision of the EU Council. The EU takes note of this commitment and welcomes it,” Mogherini said.
On the 15th of September, the EU decided to extend sanctions against 146 people and 37 organizations for a further six months due to their aggression towards Ukraine.
The EU has responded to the crisis in Ukraine by imposing economic sanctions against specific sectors of the Russian economy, which will be enforced until the 31st of January 2017, and by imposing restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of the Crimea and Sevastopol, which will be enforced until the 23rd of June 2017.