Brussels - The European Union is going to extend until Dec. 2015 sanctions against Russian persons and entities accused of "threatening or undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," according to a draft resolution to be put to the vote at a planned emergency meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Jan. 29.
“In view of the worsening situation, the Council agrees, in full compliance with the requirements of EU law, 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 December 2015,” says a copy of the draft obtained by Interfax.
“Moreover, it calls on the EEAS [European External Action Service] High Representative and the Commission to present a proposal for decision within a week on additional listings. The Council will continue to closely follow the situation on the ground and will act accordingly. The Council asks that further preparatory work by the Commission Services and the EEAS be undertaken on any appropriate action, in particular on further restrictive measures, aiming at ensuring a swift and comprehensive implementation of the Minsk agreements,” the draft says.
The reason for the council’s planned meeting, called by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, were bombardments of Mariupol on Jan. 24.
