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. The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany are to meet on Wednesday in Minsk try to reach a diplomatic peace accord following the efforts of French President François Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel over the weekend. The unanimous agreement of all 28 EU Member States would be required for the sanctions to not take effect from next Monday.
