EU decision to extend sanctions over Ukraine crisis takes effect

The decision of the Council of the European Union to extend validity of sanctions against 150 persons and 37 organizations targeting action against Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence was published on Saturday in the Official Journal.

Thus, the decision took effect.

As reported, the Council of EU decided on Friday to extend the sanctions imposed on 150 individuals and 37 organizations for six months over actions disrupting the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

"The Council has prolonged the application of EU restrictive measures targeting action against Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. The asset freeze and travel bans against 150 persons and 37 entities have been extended for a further 6 months, that is until September 15, 2015," it said in a communiqué.

"This decision gives legal effect to a political decision taken at the Foreign Affairs Council on January 29, 2015," the Council said.

The blacklist contains the names of several Russian government members, politicians, parliament members, businessmen, senior officials of ministries and departments, and heads of Crimea and the unrecognized Luhansk and Donetsk people's republics (LPR and DPR).

It also includes some companies and organizations of Russia, including Crimea, and paramilitary units operating in the DPR and the LPR.