The European Council Extends Sanctions Against Russia

Two days ago, The European Council announced a prolongation of sanctions against Russia for "actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine for a further six months, until 15 September 2018. The measures consist of asset freezes and travel restrictions. They continue to apply to 150 persons and 38 entities."

"An assessment of the situation did not justify a change in the sanctions regime. The relevant information and statement of reasons for the listing of these persons and entities were updated as necessary," their statement read. 

Said list includes, Vladislav Surkov, aide to the President of the Russian Federation, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Rogozin, and Sergey Aksyonov the 'Prime Minister of Crimea', amongst others.

"Other existing EU measures in place in response to the Ukraine crisis include: economic sanctions targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy, currently in place until 31 July 2018; restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, limited to the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol, currently in place until 23 June 2018," The European Council website reads. 

First applied in March 2015 and extended four times since, the economic sanctions include limits on access to EU markets and export bans.

By Máté Földi

Photo source: CNN