EU extends Ukraine-related sanctions for half year

The European Union Council approved on Sept. 15 a decision to extend sanctions for a half-year against 146 individuals and 37 organizations for participating in military aggression in Ukraine that violated its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, its website reported. The sanctions are extended until March 15, 2017. They were first imposed in March 2014 and extended on March 2016. The EU has used several other measures to address the aggression, including economic sanctions against certain Russian economic sectors in place until Jan. 31, 2017, as well as restrictive measures for the illegal Crimean annexation that will be in place until June 23, 2017, the report noted.

Zenon Zawada: Fortunately, the West remains united and committed to challenging Russian aggression. However, the tide has been turning this year and the next major test is the U.S. presidential election in November. Despite the dislike many average Europeans share for Donald Trump, his possible election will fuel the popularity of nativist and nationalist ideas in Europe, which will play into the aims of the Russian government. Meanwhile, in the event of his election, Trump could start lifting sanctions against Russia shortly after his inauguration in January.