The European Union has officially extended sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian citizens and legal entities into March 2017, Sputnik news agency reported Friday.

The sanctions, which target 146 individuals and 37 legal entities accused by the European Union of playing a role in Crimea's rejoining with Russia and threatening eastern Ukraine's territorial integrity, will remain unchanged for another six months, the European Council said in an official statement.

The European Union introduced restrictive anti-Russian sanctions in March 2014 after Crimea became part of Russia earlier that year.

The West also accused Moscow of meddling in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, imposing further political and economic sanctions on Russia.

The Kremlin has repeatedly refuted the accusations and introduced counter measures as well as warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability.

The restrictive targeted sanctions imposed by Brussels include EU entry bans and bank account freezes for the black-listed individuals and enterprises.

The list includes Russian officials and celebrities, as well as leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People's Republic.

Source: MENA