EU Envoys Agree to Prolong Russia Economic Sanctions

In response to Crimea's reunification with Russia in March, 2014, the EU's Committee of Permanent Representatives decided to prolong the existing sanctions against Russia with the formal decision to be announced on Monday, 22 June.

The EU's Committee of Permanent Representatives has agreed to prolong economic sanctions against Russia till January 2016. The formal decision is to be made in Luxembourg next Monday.

“The same sanctions have been extended, only an extension for another six months, until the end of January 2016,” an EU source familiar with the EU leadership told RIA Novosti.

According to the source, a formal decision regarding the sanctions will be made Monday, at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council.

The source said that a decision regarding the extension of sanctions against the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea could be made later in the week.

Earlier in the day, an EU diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told RIA Novosti that a committee of European Union envoys would discuss the extension of sanctions against Russia and Crimea on Wednesday.

Russia’s relations with the European Union have deteriorated since Crimea reunified with Russia following a referendum in 2014. The bloc accused Russia of violating Ukraine's territorial integrity, and introduced several rounds of sanctions.

The targeted sanctions were also introduced by the European Union against Crimea, which included a ban on investment in its economy and restrictive measures targeting Crimean individuals and companies. The anti-Crimea sanctions are due to expire on June 23.

Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations, and introduced responsive measures in August 2014, banning certain food product imports from the countries that imposed restrictions against Russia.

Earlier in June, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said any type of sanction would receive a response.