EU extends asset freezes, travel bans on Russia over Ukraine conflict

European Union ambassadors have extended asset freezes and travel bans against Moscow over its alleged involvement in the conflict in Ukraine and the rejoining of the Crimea Peninsula to Russia.

The travel bans and asset freezes, which cover some 150 people and 37 entities, were extended for six months on Wednesday. The sanctions were due to expire on September 15.  

The bans, first introduced in March 2014, target several companies in Crimea as well as Russia's Almaz-Antey, a maker of air defense systems.

The bans also target Russian politicians like Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin criticized new US sanctions against Moscow, saying the bans were not consistent with talks over possible cooperation between Moscow and Washington in different areas.

"This is not consistent with talks over possible cooperation in sensitive areas that the two presidents discussed," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Barack Obama met during the G20 summit in China and discussed different issues, including the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine.

SS