EU Council extends sanctions against Russia, separatist organizations in eastern Ukraine

The sanctions will be prolonged until March 15 next year. The Council of the European Union said in its decision published in Brussels that these measures apply to persons and organizations that the EU considers to be involved in actions against Ukraine's sovereignty, its territorial integrity, unity and independence. The document refers to 149 private individuals and 37 legal entities to which the extension of the restrictive measures applies. The communiqué states that the nature of the sanctions - the freezing of assets and banning on EU visas - remains as it was. Additionally, the EU sees no grounds for reducing the list of persons and organizations to which the sanctions apply. The document is to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union on September 15 and will take effect on the same day.