(VOVworld) - The European Union has extended economic and travel sanctions to 13 people and five entities it accuses of involvement in elections of the pro-independence force in eastern Ukraine early this month. The sanctions are imposed on political factions which organized the elections in Donetsk and Lugansk. EU Foreign Ministers said the elections violated the Minsk protocol.

EU extends sanctions on 13 people and 5 entities involved in elections in eastern Ukraine (photo: euronews.com)

The EU's 28 member countries agreed to the action Friday which official came into force on November 29. The decision brings the total number of people subject to an EU-wide travel ban and asset freeze for allegedly undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity to 132, and the number of entities whose assets have been ordered frozen to 28.