Media: EU to extend economic sanctions against Russia on December 14
On Thursday, before the EU summit, which will be held on December 14-15 in Brussels, the heads of state and governments of the EU member states will adopt the political decision to extend the sectoral economic sanctions against Russia, which were imposed for encroachment on the sovereignty and territory of Ukraine, reports Ukrinform news agency, citing a senior official of one of the EU governing bodies.
“French President Emmanuel Macron and Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel will speak to the state leaders about the latest information on the implementation of the Minsk agreements. After this, it is expected that a formal decision will be made to extend economic sanctions against Russia,” said the news agency’s source.
It is expected that the Council of the European Union will enact a legal decision on the extension of anti-Russian sanctions for another six months after January 31, 2018.
Restrictive measures were first introduced on July 31, 2014 for a period of one year in response to Russia’s actions, which destabilized the situation in Ukraine. The sanctions were tightened even further in September 2014.
They are directed at the financial, energy, and defense sectors as well as dual-use goods.
On March 19, 2015, the extension of the sanctions was linked to the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements, which were to be implemented by December 31, 2015.
Since this did not happen and the Minsk Agreements were still not fully implemented, the Council of the EU extended the sanctions.