EU Sanctions Nine People Over 'illegal' Ukraine Polls
Faizan Hashmi Published December 07, 2018 | 08:15 PM
EU states have agreed to sanction nine people over recent "illegal" elections in Russian-backed breakaway eastern Ukraine, officials told AFP Friday, as tensions between Moscow and Kiev run high over their recent sea clash.
Foreign ministers will use a meeting in Brussels on Monday to formally approve travel bans and asset freezes on nine Ukrainians involved in the polls in the Donetsk and Lugansk "People's Republics" last month, which the US blasted as a "sham" and the EU has called "illegal and illegitimate".
The move comes as Kiev steps up calls for international action against Russia after it seized three Ukrainian navy ships and 24 sailors in the Sea of Azov, but Monday's gathering of EU foreign ministers will not adopt sanctions over the incident, as countries are wary of escalating a complicated situation further.
An EU official said a meeting on Wednesday had agreed "the legal acts for new listings under the restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine".
Diplomats confirmed nine people, all Ukrainian, would be sanctioned, meaning they will be banned from travelling to or through EU countries and any assets they hold in the bloc will be frozen.
The November polls returned pro-Moscow separatist leaders to power in the two breakaway Ukrainian regions, ballots that Kiev said were simply a way for the Kremlin to cement its grip on the disputed region.
The so-called republics were declared in 2014, after Russia annexed Crimea and supported the outbreak of an anti-Kiev insurgency in other parts of eastern Ukraine.
The EU has a range of sanctions in place related to the annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has claimed more than 10,000 lives, but they are treading carefully over the Azov Sea clash.
Recent Stories
PITB HR Wing organizes Eid Milan celebration for children at PITB Day Care Cente ..
SONY x TECNO - is this for real?
PTI to stage nationwide protests against alleged electoral frauds
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
More Stories From World
-
Barrett inspires Crusaders' return to form against Rebels
7 minutes ago -
Philippine settlement submerged by dam reappears due to drought
7 minutes ago -
Blinken says US campus protests part of 'democracy'
27 minutes ago -
Vietnam National Assembly head resigns amid graft purge
47 minutes ago -
Team from Gaza mediator Egypt heads to Israel: source
1 hour ago -
Xi tells Blinken US, China should be 'partners, not rivals'
1 hour ago
-
Ukraine agriculture minister freed on bail in corruption case
1 hour ago -
Vietnam National Assembly head resigns amid graft purge
1 hour ago -
Calls for mosque demolition weigh on India's Muslim voters
2 hours ago -
Chinese shares close higher Friday
2 hours ago -
China's EV execs bullish on Western pressure at Beijing car show
2 hours ago -
EU toughens rules on fashion retailer Shein
2 hours ago