The extension of anti-Russian sanctions is a proof of shortsighted policy of the European Union, the Department of Information and Press of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia reports.

“One more extension of sectoral economic sanctions by the European Union until 31 January, 2017, which are illegitimate from the point of view of international law, can be considered as a continuation of the shortsighted policy of Brussels,” the representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.

Moscow called absurd the link between restriction actions against Russia with the implementation of the Minsk agreements. Russian politicians reminded that Russia was not a party of the domestic conflict in Ukraine. In addition, the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Kyiv demonstrated unwillingness to comply with its obligations. According to the Ministry, in fact, the EU made Russia-EU relations a hostage of the irresponsible games of the Ukrainian authorities.

Earlier, it has become known that the Council of the European Union officially extended the economic sectoral sanctions against Russia for the next 6 months. It is noted that anti-Russian restrictions will be extended until 31 January of the following year.

On 21 June, the permanent representatives of the EU member countries decided to extend sanctions, for which the representatives of 28 countries voted.

On 29 June, the President of Russia Vladimir Putin signed a decree in which he required to extend the retaliatory restrictive measures for the same period. The government should provide measures to extend the food embargo. It is noted that, if necessary, new proposals to change the validity period of the response measures would be made.