European Council Extends Anti-Russia 'Black List'

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) – The European Council has extended sanctions against individuals and legal entities in Russia and Ukraine until March 2016, a European Council source said Monday.

"The resolution was upheld," the source said.

The current sanctions imposed on individuals and companies for their alleged participation in the Ukraine’s sovereignty were to expire on September 15.

Earlier this month, an EU source familiar with the proceedings suggested to RIA Novosti that the restrictive measures extension might be passed at a September 14 general affairs council meeting without debate.

Russia's relations with the West deteriorated significantly in 2014 over the crisis in Ukraine. The United States and the European Union accused Russia of interfering in Ukraine's internal affairs, imposing several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.

Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations and expressed its diplomatic willingness to resume dialogue with Western countries.

The latest measures are expected to come into force Tuesday after publication in the official journal of the European Union, according to the council source.