On Monday 27 April 2015, the 17th EU-Ukraine summit will take place in Ukraine and focus on: · the implementation of the Association Agreement and the political and economic reforms in Ukraine including EU financial and other assistance; · the crisis in eastern Ukraine and the application of the Minsk agreements; · regional issues; and · the preparations for the upcoming Eastern Partnership summit in Riga. According to the background note published by the…
It was announced following yesterday’s first working session of the European Council meeting that the EU sanctions against Russia will be tied to the implementation of the Minsk agreements brokered by Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande. The sanctions will therefore remain in force until the Minsk agreements are fully implemented, which is foreseen only by 31 December 2015. According to the Council’s Conclusions on external relations, “the necessary decisions will be taken in…
Further to our previous blog post, the EU has published the names of an additional 19 individuals and nine entities who are designated with effect from today for their involvement in action against Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. The new DPs are listed in the Annex to Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/240. The newly-designated individuals include three Russian officials involved in the defence sector: First Deputy Defence Minister, Arkady Bakhin; Deputy Defence Minister, Anatoly…
The European Foreign Affairs Council today unanimously approved the designation of 19 persons and 9 entities involved in action against Ukraine’s territorial integrity, though their designation has been delayed until 16 February 2015 and it is suggested will depend on “current diplomatic efforts”. Their identity has not yet been revealed, though it is reported that the list includes 14 separatists, five Russians (rumoured to include Russian Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov) and one Russian entity.…