EU extends individual sanctions against Russia for 6 mos

BRUSSELS, Sep 13 (PRIME) -- The E.U. Council has prolonged individual sanctions against Russia for another six months, until March 15, 2019, the council said on Thursday.

“The Council has prolonged the restrictive measures over actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine for a further six months, until March 15, 2019,” the statement said.

The measures consist of asset freezes and travel restrictions. They currently apply to 155 persons and 44 entities.

In 2014, relations between Russia and the West deteriorated to their worse since the Cold War due to a military conflict in Ukraine. The West introduced sanctions against some Russian individuals and firms and further against the energy and banking sectors. In response, Russia limited food imports from some countries, including the U.S., the E.U., Canada, Australia, and Norway.

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