EU Extends Restrictive Measures Against Russia

While European authorities are working on their diplomatic missions in Eastern Europe, the Council of the European Union extended by 6 months the application of EU restrictive measures targeting Russians.  

‘The asset freeze and travel bans against 149 persons and 37 entities have been extended until 15 March 2016’ reads a note released on Monday, arguing that the restrictive measures ‘target actions against Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.’ 

The legal acts will be available in the EU Official Journal of 15 September 2015.  

Last week, Ukraine asked its “Westerner partners” to help sending defensive weapons.  

"We do understand that there is no military solution to this conflict. But this is no solution without military in this conflict. So we need to have strong army to deter Russia-led terrorists," Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič will go to Bulgaria on Monday.  

‘During his visit to Sofia, the Vice-President will meet with representatives of the Bulgarian government and parliament as well as prominent stakeholders to discuss the benefits of the Energy Union for Bulgaria as well as to listen to national concerns’ the European Commission wrote on Monday. 

At the same time, as published on the Serbian Government’s website, Serbia’s Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic will go to the US to meet with senior officials and representatives of international organisations.

Speaking about the Eastern Mediterranean, Westerner media are reporting that Russia wants to establish its first military air base in the region. The United Kingdom is trying to understand the situation and reinforce its ties in the region. On Monday, Prime Minister David Cameron was in Lebanon, where he extensively spoke about the crisis in Syria.