EU decides to take Ukraine's place in retaliation against Russia
The European Union (EU) officially decided to extend sanctions against Russia for another 6 months due to "lack of progress" in implementing the Ukraine peace agreement.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (left) shakes hands warmly with European Council President Donald Tusk
Speaking at the recent EU Summit in Brussels, President of the European Council (EC) Donald Tusk said the EU agreed to extend economic sanctions against Russia by another 6 months, because there was no progress in implementing the Minsk agreements.
“The EU agreed to prolong economic sanctions against Russia due to lack of progress in implementing the Minsk agreements,” Mr. Tusk said.
"As usual, economic sanctions against Russia have been extended for another half year. This is a political decision. After the summit, the EU will have an official document in the coming weeks," a source on the sidelines of the EU summit told TASS news agency.
The Minsk agreement reached between Moscow and Kiev with EU mediation was first reached in late 2014 and then restarted in early 2015 but has been frequently accused of violations by both sides.
The EU first imposed economic sanctions on Russia in July 2014 after Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine, killing 298 people. The EU blamed Russian-backed rebels for the incident. The EU sanctions targeted Russia's financial, energy and defense industries.
The EU’s decision to extend sanctions against Russia came amid escalating relations between Moscow and Kiev after Russia seized three Ukrainian naval vessels and 24 sailors on charges of violating Russian territorial waters while attempting to pass through the Kerch Strait on November 25.