Misappropriation of Ukrainian state funds

Brussels [ENA] The Council decided to prolong for one more year until 6 March 2021 the existing asset freezes directed against 10 persons identified as responsible for the misappropriation of Ukrainian state funds or for the abuse of office causing a loss to Ukrainian public funds. The restrictive measures against two persons were not extended. This decision was taken on the basis of the annual review of the measures.

The legal acts will be published in the Official Journal on 6 March 2020. Since March 2014, the EU has progressively imposed restrictive measures against Russia. The measures were adopted in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the deliberate destabilisation of Ukraine. The EU imposes different types of restrictive measures: 1. diplomatic measures 2. individual restrictive measures (asset freeze and travel restrictions) 3. restrictions on economic relations with Crimea and Sevastopol 4. economic sanctions 5. restrictions on economic cooperation

In 2014, the EU-Russia summit was cancelled and EU member states decided not to hold regular bilateral summits. Bilateral talks with Russia on visa matters as well as on the new agreement between the EU and Russia were suspended. Instead of the G8 summit in Sochi, a G7 meeting was held in Brussels on 4-5 June 2014. Since then, meetings have continued within the G7 process.

EU countries also supported the suspension of negotiations over Russia's joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). 170 people and 44 entities are subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban because their actions undermined Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. The measures were introduced in March 2014. They were last extended in September 2019 until 15 March 2020.