The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) welcomes the decision by the Council of the European Union to prolong economic sanctions against the Russian Federation until 31 July 2016 pursuant to an agreement in the European Council in March 2015, when European Union leaders linked the duration of the sanctions to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements, which was foreseen to take place by 31 December 2015. However, the Russian Federation is still violating the Minsk agreements.
The sanctions, targeting the financial, energy and defence sectors, were initially introduced for one year on 31 July 2014 in response to the aggression of the Russian Federation in Eastern Ukraine, and then prolonged until 31 January 2016.
During a recent working visit to Brussels, UWC President Eugene Czolij emphasized the imperativeness of maintaining, if not strengthening, targeted sanctions against the Russian Federation until it fully complies with the Minsk agreements.
“The Ukrainian World Congress urges EU Member States to continue to stand resolutely alongside Ukraine and its people as they stand on the front lines defending democracy, the territorial integrity of independent states, and European values, while protecting peace and security of the entire region,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
