The European Union has expanded sanctions against Russia

The European Union on Tuesday included structures involved in the construction of the Crimean Bridge in the list of companies subject to sanctions. The decision was made on July 30, the EU's official journal reported .

Details:

• The list includes the companies Mostotrest and Stroygazmontazh. The EU explains their inclusion by the fact that they were involved in the construction of the bridge and also belong to Arkady Rotenberg, who is already under sanctions.
• In addition, sanctions have been imposed against JSC Institute Giprostroymost - Saint Petersburg (which developed the bridge project), JSC Shipyard Zaliv (which participated in the construction), OOO Stroygazmontazh - Most (a subsidiary of Stroygazmontazh and owned by Rotenberg) and JSC VAD (the contractor for the construction of the Tavrida highway, which connected the Crimean Bridge with the peninsula).
• Quote: "As part of the Union's policy of non-recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, the Council views the construction of the Kerch Bridge as further actions undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The construction of this bridge and its official opening on 15 May 2018 are key symbolic steps in establishing the Russian Federation's control over the illegally annexed Crimea and Sevastopol and further isolating the peninsula from Ukraine," the statement by the Council of the European Union reads.
• The document states that all of the listed companies are subject to restrictions imposed by the EU on Russian individuals and legal entities in 2014. The sanctions include freezing all financial resources owned or managed by any individuals or organizations subject to sanctions.

Context

• The Crimean Bridge is one of the largest in Russia, its length is 19 km. 227.9 billion rubles were spent on the construction of the bridge. The general contractor of the project, Arkady Rotenberg's Stroygazmontazh, was selected without a competition due to the lack of competitors.
• The history of the largest Russian infrastructure project - what had to be sacrificed for it and how much Arkady Rotenberg earned on it (and Gennady Timchenko did not earn) - can be read here . We wrote about the grand opening ceremony of the Crimean Bridge, attended by President Vladimir Putin and billionaire Arkady Rotenberg, here .
• On June 18, the EU Council extended for a year the sanctions that prohibit the import of goods from Crimea and Sevastopol to the European Union, and also prohibit EU citizens from investing in the economy and business of the Crimean peninsula. Explaining the extension of the restrictions, European Council President Donald Tusk said that the decision was made, among other things, taking into account the construction of the Crimean Bridge.