Ukraine crisis: EU extends Russia sanctions to 2016

The aim is to make Russia comply with the Minsk ceasefire accord signed with Ukraine in February, EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic tweeted.
EU and US sanctions target associates of President Vladimir Putin and Russian state banks, military and energy firms.
The ministers also launched a naval operation called EU Navfor Med, to track Mediterranean people smugglers.
Initially European warships will just monitor the smugglers’ activities – focused on Libya – and alert national authorities. Military intervention to stop the migrant boats would require UN authorisation.
‘Unlawful’ sanctions
The EU foreign ministers extended the sanctions against Russia at a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday.

 

Read More: Ukraine crisis: EU extends Russia sanctions to 2016 – BBC News