02 August 2017, Wednesday, 16:45 144

Montenegro, Albania, Norway, Ukraine Support Prolongation Of EU Sanctions Against Russia Until February 2018

Редактор: Daria Zubkova

The Republic of Montenegro, Republic of Albania, the Kingdom of Norway and Ukraine have pledged their support of prolongation of sanctions by the European Union on the Russian Federation until January 31, 2018.

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini has said this in a statement referring to restrictive measures in response to Russia's actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

In particular, on June 28, the EU Council prolonged sanctions against Russia until January 31, 2018.

"Countries-candidates to acquiring membership in the EU community Montenegro and Albania, as well as Norway, which is a party to the European Free Trade Association Agreement and a country of the European Economic Area, and Ukraine support the decision of the EU Council," the statement read.

According to the statement, the aforesaid countries will support the decision through their national policies.

The European Union welcomed this obligation.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on June 28, the EU Council extended sanctions against Russia until January 31, 2018.

The sanctions restrict access to primary and secondary capital markets of the EU to five major state-run companies and their subsidiaries, as well as to three large power companies and three defense companies of Russia.

In addition, the restrictions impose export and import bans on trade of weapons, goods of dubious use that can be used for military purposes or resold to end military users in Russia, and limit Russia's access to certain sensitive technologies and services that can be used for oil exploration and drilling.