REUTERS
Besides Ukraine, another three countries made a similar move.
Ukraine has aligned with the European Union's decision to extend restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, according to a declaration by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on behalf of the EU, published on the EU Council's website Friday.
"The [EU] Council Decision prolongs the restrictive measures for a further six months, until 31 January 2019," the statement says.
"The Candidate Countries Montenegro and Albania, and the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, align themselves with this declaration," reads the statement.
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The said countries say they "will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council Decision."
The European Union has taken note of the commitment and welcomed it.
As UNAN reported earlier, on June 29, 2018, the EU Council extended for six months the package of economic sanctions against Russia. The EU Council said restrictions had been imposed on Russia in 2014 "after Russia violated Ukraine's sovereignty by illegally annexing Crimea and Sevastopol and by sending fighters and weapons into eastern Ukraine."
"These sanctions don't target the Russian population but aim to change Russia's policy towards Ukraine," the EU Council said.