BRUSSELS, March 5. /TASS/. The European Union has extended its sanctions against 16 Ukrainian nationals, responsible for misuse of state assets, the EU decision, published at the Official Journal, reads.

The sanctions are against 16 persons, including former President Viktor Yanukovich, for "misappropriation of public funds or assets and in connection with the misuse of office" are extended to March 6, 2017, the document reads.

On March 5 2014, the European Union announced sanctions against 18 Ukrainians, including Yanukovich, his two sons, former Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov and others. Those restrictive measures were introduced for the term of one year and included banning for entering the EU and freezing of banking assets of the persons on black list.

For the following two years, the EU made minor changes to the list - both expanding and cutting the positions on it.

Till Saturday, the Ukrainian black list contained 17 persons, including Yanukovich. The list’s term was to expire on March 6.