EU Council extended "Crimean" sanctions

The European Union Council extended sanctions by June 23, 2019 regarding the annexed Crimea and Sevastopol, according to the EU Council website.

The sanctions were extended ahead of schedule - the duration of the restrictions expired after 5 days.

The Council assures that the European Union continues to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. "Four years after the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, the EU confirms that he does not recognize and continues to condemn this violation of international law," the council emphasizes.

Sanctions are extended for the fourth time, similar decisions have been made annually since 2015.

Since the annexation of the peninsula, sanctions against Crimea and Sevastopol have been adopted several times. The first decision on the restrictions entered into force on June 25, 2014. Then the EU Council banned the import of any goods from Crimea into the European Union , the supply of which is not agreed with Kiev.

In July 2014, a ban on investment in infrastructure, transport, telecommunication and energy sectors, as well as the production of oil, gas and minerals, was established. The supply of equipment for these sectors and the provision of financial and insurance services for them was also prohibited. In addition, the European Union established a ban on the purchase of more than 250 items of goods, including minerals and hydrocarbons. European financial structures are prohibited from issuing loans or acquiring shares in projects that are affected by sector sanctions.

On December 18, 2014, the European Union Council approved additional proposals for restrictive measures in trade and investments in relation to Crimea. "From December 20, investments in Crimea or Sevastopol are prohibited. Europeans and companies from the EU cannot buy real estate or companies in Crimea, finance Crimean companies or provide relevant services," the press release said.

EU operators were forbidden to offer travel services in Crimea or Sevastopol. In particular, the ban on European cruise ships was introduced to enter the ports on the Crimean peninsula, with the exception of emergency cases. This applies to all courts belonging or controlled by Europe or floating under the flag of a member state.

“In addition, it was forbidden to export certain goods and technologies to Crimean enterprises or for their use in Crimea,” reported in a communique. “This applies to transport, telecommunications, energy sector, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources.”