EU prepared to prolong sanctions against Russia over Ukraine
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 31 August 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, EU prepared to prolong sanctions against Russia over Ukraine, 31 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57db9a7113.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 31, 2016
By RFE/RL
BRUSSELS – European Union ambassadors appear set to prolong asset freezes and visa bans against 146 individuals and 37 entities that, according to the EU, are responsible for actions against Ukraine's territorial integrity.
EU sources have told RFE/RL that the decision to prolong the measures by six months will be taken ahead of a September 15 deadline without much discussion.
The targets of the sanctions include companies in Crimea and various battalions formed by the Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, as well as Russian politicians like Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and Dmitry Kiselyov, a state media executive and presenter whom many regard as the Kremlin's chief propagandist.
The sanctions were first introduced in March 2014 after Russia's seizure and illegal annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.
The EU's economic sanctions that target Russia's energy, military, and financial sectors are up for renewal on January 31.
EU sources told RFE/RL that those sectoral sanctions will be discussed at a Brussels summit of EU leaders in October.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
