The European Union formally extended its economic sanctions on Russia on Wednesday, a widely expected step that keeps restrictions on business with Russian energy, defence and financial sectors until Jan. 31, 2018.
The sanctions were imposed in July 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula and Moscow’s direct support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. Moscow denies direct involvement in the conflict despite NATO’s assertions its troops are supporting the rebels.
EU leaders agreed to the extension at their summit in Brussels last week, after France and Germany cited no progress in efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict in …read more
Source: Kabar News Agency
