The EU on Monday extended sanctions against four Russian intelligence agents linked to a nerve agent attack in Britain, as part of an attempt to crack down on chemical weapons.

Foreign ministers from the 28 EU states voted to prolong by 12 months the chemical weapons sanctions regime which currently targets nine individuals including the four Russians and five Syrian officials.

The Russians, who are subject to EU travel bans and asset freezes, are the head and deputy head of the Kremlin's military intelligence outfit, the GRU, and the two men accused of carrying out the attack using a Soviet-era nerve agent called Novichok.

"The Council today extended restrictive measures by the EU addressing the use and proliferation of chemical weapons until 16 October 2020," the Council of the EU said in a statement.

"This decision contributes to the EU's efforts to counter the proliferation and use of chemical weapons which poses a serious threat to international security."

The EU has accused the Russians of orchestrating the "possession, transport and use" of the nerve agent used in Salisbury, England, in March last year, in a failed attempt to assassinate defector Sergei Skripal.

Related Links
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Embattled Trump takes victory lap on China trade deal
Washington (AFP) Oct 11, 2019
Engulfed in an impeachment inquiry and other political turmoil, US President Donald Trump on Friday trumpeted the success of his hard-line stance with China, claiming to have scored a major win in the grinding trade war between the economic powers. But while Trump took a victory lap for what he called it a "substantial phase one deal," it will take weeks to finalize and the final details are not clear, nor will it roll back tariffs already in place on hundreds of billions of dollars in two-way trad ... read more