EU ambassadors prolong sanctions against Russia for aggression against Ukraine – journalist

The ambassadors of the EU member states approved the decision to prolong sanctions against Russian legal entities and individuals who are considered to have undermined the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reporter Rikard Jozwiak has said.

"EU ambassadors have now given green light to prolong by six months the visa bans and asset freezes on 177 people and 44 entities considered to have undermined the territorial integrity of Ukraine," Jozwiak wrote, clarifying in the commentary to the tweet that he was mistaken – 48 entities fell under the sanctions.

The journalist also added that the sanctions are now seven years old and more names have been added since 2014

The decision of the ambassadors still needs to be formally approved by the Council of the European Union. It will take effect upon publication in the Official Journal.

The EU imposed sanctions on Russia in March 2014 in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity. Since then, the sanctions have been repeatedly extended and the list of persons and entities under restrictive measures has been expanded. Restrictive measures include the freezing of financial assets in EU countries and restrictions on entry into the EU by persons on the sanctions list.

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