05/03/2021 (Agence Europe) – The EU Council decided on Thursday 4 March to lift the sanctions against the former Prime Minister of Ukraine, Serhiy Arbuzov, and the former Minister of Education and Science, Dmytro Volodymyrovych Tabachnyk. Both men had been subject to an asset freeze and visa ban since March 2014 (see EUROPE 11032/2) for having played a role in the misappropriation of public funds or assets. The sanctions were extended for one year, until 6 March 2022, for seven individuals identified as being responsible for misappropriation of Ukrainian public funds or abuse of power resulting in a loss of Ukrainian public funds. The restrictive measures against the former Minister of Revenue and Duties, Oleksandr Viktorovych Klymenko, were extended until 6 September 2021. (CG)