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EU extends anti-Russia bans over Ukraine crisis

Thursday, 10 March 2016 5:49 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 10 March 2016 5:47 PM ]

The file photo shows a view of the Berlaymont building, headquarters of the European Union Commission, the EU’s executive body.

The European Union has extended its anti-Russia sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, over Moscow’s alleged role in the Ukraine conflict.

In a statement released on Thursday, the EU said it keeps in place until mid-September “restrictive measures” against 146 Russian and Ukrainian individuals as well as 37 companies.

The decision was made during a meeting of EU interior ministers in the Belgian capital city of Brussels.

The 28-nation bloc said the bans were extended “in the view of continuing undermining or threatening of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.”

Three dead people have been removed from the list of anti-Russia bans, according to the statement. A full list of names is expected to be published on Saturday.

The blacklist is in addition to sweeping economic measures targeting Russia’s defense, financial and energy sectors.

EU sanctions against Russia were initially introduced after Crimea declared independence from Ukraine in March 2014 and formally applied to rejoin Russia following a referendum.

People gather for a rally marking a one year anniversary of the referendum in Crimea that supported its secession from Ukraine, in Simferopol, Crimea, March 16, 2015. ©AP

Nearly 97 percent of Crimean citizens voted in favor of secession in the referendum, with a turnout of over 83 percent.

Last week, the United States also extended its bans against Moscow until March 2017. The Russian Foreign Ministry described the US sanctions as futile, saying the Kremlin is entitled to respond.

Washington and its European allies accuse Moscow of destabilizing Ukraine. Moscow, however, rejects having a hand in the crisis gripping the Eastern European state.

The Kremlin has slapped restrictions on some food imports from the US, the EU, Norway, Australia and Canada in a tit-for-tat move.

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