Permanent Representatives of the EU countries agreed to extend personal sanctions against Russia

The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU countries (Coreper) approved a proposal to extend by six months introduced after the annexation of Crimea personal sanctions. This was reported by Interfax with reference to European diplomats.

These restrictive measures should be approved by the EU Council. After that, the legal act will be published in the official journal of the European Union and will enter into force. According to the diplomat, the decision will be made according to the written procedure without the issue of the Council meeting. There are no changes in the sanctions list.

On March 10, the European Council extended personal sanctions for six months in relation to individuals and companies. The decision to extend sanctions is associated with "an ongoing undermining or threat of territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," the statement says. On March 12, the decision entered into force.

In total, there are 146 individuals and 37 legal entities in the black list. The action of sanctions on their regard was extended until September 15, 2016. Three people are excluded from the black list, since they are no longer alive.

A source in the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that sanctions against individuals from the EU countries, which are included in the Russian Stop List, "remain in force and continue to act." However, he did not comment on the extension of European sanctions.

For the first time, personal sanctions were imposed by the European Union in relation to individuals and legal entities involved in the violation of the sovereignty of Ukraine, on March 17, 2014, the day after the “referendum” in Crimea. Inclusion in the sanctions list entails freezing accounts in banks in the EU countries and a ban on entry into the European Union.

After the start of hostilities in the east of Ukraine , the sanctions list has repeatedly expanded . In February 2015, five Russians were added to the list, including singer Joseph Kobzon and two deputy defense departments, 14 figures of self -proclaimed "republics", as well as nine organizations.

The Council of Europe decides to extend sanctions every six months .