The European Union will extend sanctions against Russia, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced during an EU summit in Brussels Wednesday.
Merkel described extending the sanctions as "necessary" due to Russia's ongoing failure to implement the Minsk agreements which were imposed in relation to the Ukrainian conflict.
The next EU next discussion on the sanctions is scheduled for October. The current package is to expire at the end of July, but will be automatically prolonged.
European leaders have also discussed prospects of ratifying an association agreement between the EU and Ukraine. Citizens in Netherlands voted against ratifying the agreement in April, after it had already been approved by other EU members. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the Netherlands were currently looking for a legal compromise that would allow ratification to proceed.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.