The European Union has extended sanctions against Russia on Monday due to the annexation of Crimea and support for rebels in eastern Ukraine for another six months.
“The Council extended the restrictive measures on March 12 due to actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine for another six months, until September 15, 2018,” the statement said.
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These measures include travel bans and asset freezes for 150 individuals and 38 companies. The Council states that the assessment of the situation on the ground shows that there is no reason to change the sanctions regime.
In addition to these measures, the EU has also imposed targeted economic sanctions in specific sectors against Russia related to the Ukrainian crisis, which are in effect until June 23, 2018, as well as restrictive measures due to the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, which are limited only to the area of Crimea and Sevastopol, and which are also in effect until June 23, 2018.
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Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and shows no intention of returning it to Ukraine.
The EU and Western countries accuse Russia of supporting Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, where more than ten thousand people have died in conflicts since 2014.
