EU Council extends sanctions against Ukraine occupiers, separatists

The EU Council decided on March 13 to extend for a half-year until Sept. 15 sanctions against citizens of Ukraine and Russia who are undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The sanctions consist of frozen bank accounts and travel bans to the EU.

Zenon Zawada: Western institutions will continue to extend sanctions for as long as they can amid the looming populist threat sweeping Europe. Besides tomorrow’s parliamentary election in the Netherlands, France will hold critical presidential elections in late April. While a Dutch nationalist prime minister is unlikely to emerge, a victory for France’s nationalist Marine Le Pen – an entirely possible outcome – is almost certain to undermine the sanctions. In addition, despite the recent chill in U.S.-Russia relations, we think U.S. President Trump hasn’t given up on a deal on sanctions with Russia.