For the last four years, the EU has imposed sanctions against Russian individuals and companies concerning the Ukrainian crisis. The blacklist has been progressively extended to Ukrainian citizens, leaders in Donetsk and Lugansk, as well as Russian politicians and companies. A total of 150 individuals and 38 organizations are on the EU blacklist. Restrictive measures have been extended every six months.

Some EU members objected to suggestions by the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) to automatically extend the blacklist for Russia before March 15, the date when the package of sanctions expires. Mr. Chizhov explained that in order to extend sanctions, they need a ministerial level session of the EU Council while not all countries have finalized the necessary internal procedures.