EU extends sanctions against Russia for annexing Crimea
The European Union has extended restrictive measures against 150 citizens and 38 Russian companies until September 15, 2018, as indicated in a statement issued on Monday by the European Council.
“The EU Council has extended measures for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, for another six months,” the statement said.
It was noted that an assessment of the situation did not justify a change in the sanctions regime.
“Other EU measures in response to the crisis in Ukraine include economic sanctions directed against specific sectors of the Russian economy and which are in effect until July 31, 2018; and restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of the Crimea and Sevastopol, limited to the territory of the Crimea and Sevastopol, currently in force until June 23, 2018,” the statement reads.
In the summer of 2014, the EU introduced trade and investment sanctions against the Crimea. The list of “banned trade” includes more than 250 items, including seawater.
European sanctions against Russia are made up of several packages. The first ones enacted were against Russian and Ukrainian citizens whom Europe considers responsible for undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The sanctions are in effect until March 15, 2018. The economic sanctions are in effect until July 31, 2018.