Brussels, 03/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - According to a European source, the Environment Council on Friday 4 March is expected to extend the sanctions by 12 months, without debate, on 16 people - including Ukraine's former president Viktor Yanukovych - who are accused of embezzling the Ukrainian state.
By contrast, the sanctions (an assets freeze and visa ban) are expected to be lifted from Ukraine's former health minister Raisa Bogatyrova, who is reported to have repaid the funds she apparently embezzled.
This official adoption follows a political agreement of the ambassadors of the 28 EU member states on Wednesday 2 March. The legal acts are expected to be published in the Official Journal of the EU on 5 March 2016.
On 5 March 2014 and 15 April 2014, the EU sanctioned 22 people - including Yanukovych and Ukraine's former prime minister Serhiy Arbuzov. These sanctions were then extended for 18 people (see EUROPE 11268).
In addition, the permanent representatives are next week expected to discuss extending sanctions on 146 people, including those close to Russia's President Vladimir Putin, and 37 entities that have acted against Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence (see EUROPE 11388). The current sanctions expire on 15 March. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)