The European Union has extended an asset freeze against former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and 15 of his close associates for alleged misappropriation of state funds.

The restrictive measures, put in place two years ago after Yanukovych fled Ukraine during the Euromaidan protests against his government, were extended until March 6, 2017.

Other prominent figures on the EU blacklist include two former prime ministers, Mykola Azarov and Serhiy Arbuzov, and the former head of Yanukovych’s presidential administration, Andriy Kliuiev.

Former Health Minister Raisa Bohatyriova was removed from the blacklist after returning stolen assets to Ukrainian authorities.

EU ministers approved the extension of the sanctions at a meeting in Brussels on March 4.

The decision became official after being published in the EU's official journal on March 5.

With reporting by TASS