The extension until Jan. 31 will keep the economic pressures in place through the deadline for implementing all parts of a cease-fire agreement to settle the conflict between Ukraine’s Western-allied government and pro-Moscow rebels.
Western leaders have repeatedly stated that Russia must support implementation of the cease-fire agreement before sanctions can start to be rolled back.
European and American sanctions have limited or banned the export of key technology to Russia’s defense and energy sectors, and have severely restricted financing for the Russian banking sector.
[…] several weeks ago, it was unclear whether the EU would muster the necessary unanimous support to keep …read more
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
