EU extends individual anti-Russian sanctions over Ukraine situation for 6 months

BRUSSELS. March 13 (Interfax) - The Council of the European Union on Monday extended individual anti-Russian sanctions imposed on persons and organizations "responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine."

These restrictive measures have been extended for another six months until September 15, 2023, the Council of the EU said in a communique.

The existing restrictive measures provide for travel restrictions for individuals, the freezing of assets and a ban on making funds or other economic resources available to the listed individuals and entities, according to the document.

These sanctions linked to the situation in Ukraine were first introduced on March 17, 2014. After February 24, 2022, the EU significantly expanded sanctions against Russia. Sanctions currently apply to 1,473 individuals and 205 entities.

The decision prolonging the restrictive measures will enter into force following publication in the Official Journal of the EU.

In addition to that, in response to the events in Ukraine, the EU imposed economic sanctions on certain sectors of the Russian economy, restrictive measures in response to "the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol" and measures following Russia's recognition of independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics.

Russia is also subject to European "global regime" sanctions over serious violations and abuses of human rights around the world and over the proliferation and use of chemical weapons.