EU delays Russia blacklist by one week

During the Foreign Affairs Council, Brussels, 9 February 2014, EU ministers decided to extended its Russian ban list to 19 individuals and nine entities more. However, this would be delayed for one week, in order not to disrupt peace talks in Minsk on 11 February 2015 [Click here for more information on these meetings].

The Council stated the visa bans and asset freeze would only enter into life on 16 February 2015 if there was no breakthrough at the Minsk event. The sanctions, officially termed 'restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine', were eventually imposed on Russia, despite the agreement being reached.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Statement of the Heads of State or Government [Ukraine] http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-of-the-heads-of-state-or-government-ukraine/

EurActiv, 10.02.15: Ukraine peace talks: EU delays sanctions, US military option on hold http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/ukraine-peace-talks-eu-delays-sanctions-us-military-option-hold-311968

ESO: Background information: Foreign Affairs Council - 09 February 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/foreign-affairs-council-09-february-2015/

Deutsche Welle, 09.02.15: EU delays further sanctions against Russia http://dw.de/p/1EYoR

Euronews, 09.02.15: EU delays sanctions amid push for Ukraine peace http://www.euronews.com/2015/02/09/eu-delays-sanctions-amid-push-for-ukraine-peace/

Deutsche Welle, 09.02.15: EU awaits Minsk results before new Russia sanctions http://dw.de/p/1EYIr

The Guardian, 16.02.15: EU gets tough with Russian military leaders – and Soviet-era 'Sinatra' http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/16/russia-frank-sinatra-eu-sanctions-list-ukraine

Deutsche Welle, 16.02.15: Ukraine accuses rebels of truce violations, EU extend sanctions list http://dw.de/p/1EcLM

Sputnik International: Tag: Western Sanctions Against Russia http://sputniknews.com/trend/western_sanctions_against_russia_2014/

EurActiv, 16.02.15: EU puts ‘Russian Sinatra’ on sanction list http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/eu-puts-russian-sinatra-sanction-list-312140

EUObserver, 10.03.15: Spain: Russia sanctions 'beneficial for no one' https://euobserver.com/foreign/127940

EUObserver, 17.03.15: Poland: Russian military drill designed to spook EU leaders https://euobserver.com/foreign/128028

EUObserver, 18.03.15: Two options on Russia sanctions at EU summit https://euobserver.com/foreign/128037

---