EU extends sanctions on Russia

BRUSSELS, Jan 29 (KUNA) -- The EU foreign ministers on Thursday decided to extend the sanctions list on Russia by six months and prepare for more sanctions if necessary.
The ministers held their extraordinary meeting following the worsening situation in Ukraine.
In a statement afterwards they agree "to extend the restrictive measures targeting persons and entities for threatening or undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, adopted in March 2014 and subsequently updated, until September 2015." Moreover, they called on the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and the European Commission to present within a week a proposal on additional listings for decision at the next meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on February 9.
"The Council will continue to closely follow the situation on the ground and the current diplomatic efforts, and asks that further preparatory work by the Commission Services and the EEAS (European External Actin Service) be undertaken on any appropriate action, aiming at ensuring a swift and comprehensive implementation of the Minsk agreements," the statement noted. The ministers said they found "evidence of continued and growing support given to the separatists by Russia, which underlines Russia's responsibility." "The Council expects Russia to exert its influence and to induce the separatists, without delay to stop their hostile actions and live up fully to their commitments under the Minsk agreements," the statement added. (end) nk.gb