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Anti-Russian sanctions

EU to prepare legal basis for broadening sanctions vs Russia — Ashton

A meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels will discuss the possibility of adopting fresh sanctions against Russia over the situation in Ukraine

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for the European Union Catherine Ashton EPA/NICOLAS BOUVY

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for the European Union Catherine Ashton

© EPA/NICOLAS BOUVY

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BRUSSELS, July 22. /ITAR-TASS/. A meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels will discuss the possibility of adopting fresh sanctions against Russia over the situation in Ukraine, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for the European Union Catherine Ashton said.

“The EU Council asked us to look at the legal base on which we are operating in order that we could potentially expand (sanctions against Russia),” Ashton said. She confirmed that the foreign ministers of the EU countries will discuss broadening the legal basis of additional sanctions against Russia. The meeting will also focus on the recent developments in Ukraine.

Expansion of sanctions against Russia

On July 17, the EU summit instructed the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, to draft the expansion of the blacklist for Russia and Ukraine by the end of July. The list will include Russian and Ukrainian organizations and individuals who provided material or financial support to actions the communique claims undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including Crimea’s accession to Russia.

The summit also suspended the signing of new financial agreements with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), as well as announced suspension of some European programs of assistance to Russia.

The EU summit instructed the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, to draft the expansion of the blacklist for Russia and Ukraine by the end of July. The list will include Russian and Ukrainian organizations and individuals who provided material or financial support to actions the communique claims undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including Crimea’s accession to Russia.

The summit also suspended the signing of new financial agreements with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), as well as announced suspension of some European programs of assistance to Russia.

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Sanctions vs. Russia Catherine Ashton EU

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