The European Union said Friday it will maintain restrictive measures against Russia and revise them according to the development of the situation in Ukraine.
“The European Council recalled previous EU decisions on restrictive measures [against Russia]. It will remain seized with the situation in Ukraine in order to provide further direction as required,” the Council said in a statement following plenary sessions on October 23-24.
The European Union and the United States have introduced several rounds of anti-Russia economic sanctions over alleged interference in the Ukrainian conflict by Moscow. The latest restrictions have hit Russian defense and energy companies, as well as a number of banks.
Top Russian officials have repeatedly denied involvement in Ukraine’s internal affairs, branding sanctions as illegal and ineffective. Russian Minister of Economic Development has repeatedly stated that Russia intends to contest the restrictions in the World Trade Organization.