New Batch Of EU Sanctions Against East Ukraine Separatists Come In Effect

The new batch of EU sanctions against 13 representatives of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics in eastern Ukraine and five organisations come into force on Saturday.

They were published in the Official Journal of the EU, with immediate effect. The sanctions includes asset freezes and travel bans within the EU.

The list includes 13 officials from the self-proclaimed republics, including people directly involved in the organisation and conduct of the recent disputed elections in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, party leaders and self-proclaimed MPs and ministers.

The sanctions and the list were discussed at a November 17 meeting of the Council of the European Union met in Brussels and November 27 meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union.

The EU blacklist includes now 132 Russian and Ukrainian citizens, and 28 entities. The persons, who are subject to asset freezes and visa bans, include Russia's leadership, Crimea's authorities, several Ukrainian politicians who oppose Kiev, and practically all leaders of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics.