Ukraine: EU adds nine persons to sanctions list

Brussels [ENA] The Council added nine persons to the list of those subject to restrictive measures over actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. They are listed because of their involvement in the so‑called ‘elections’ in the so‑called ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ and ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’. Through their actions, they further undermined the territorial integrity,

sovereignty and independence of Ukraine The EU considers these “elections” illegal and illegitimate and does not recognise them. In a declaration issued on 10 November 2018, the EU condemned these ''elections'', as they are in breach of international law, undermine the commitments taken under the Minsk agreements and violate Ukraine's sovereignty and law. The measures consist of a travel ban and an asset freeze, meaning that these persons cannot enter the territory of any EU member state and all of the assets in the EU belonging to these persons are frozen and EU persons and entities cannot make any funds available to them.

The decision brings the total number of persons listed by the EU to 164. In addition, the EU imposed an asset freeze on 44 entities under this sanctions regime. The legal acts, including the names of the persons concerned, are available in the EU Official Journal. 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: * diplomatic measures; * individual restrictive measures (asset freeze and travel restrictions); * restrictions on economic relations with Crimea and Sevastopol; * economic sanctions; * restrictions on economic cooperation. The European Union reiterates its full support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.