European Union Extends Crimea Sanctions by One Year

The sanctions include prohibitions on for use in Crimea in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors. The EU remains steadfast in its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, press release reads. On 20 June 2019, the Council prolonged the restrictive measures introduced in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia until 23 June 2020. The measures apply on using in Crimea in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors. European cruise ships cannot call at ports in the Crimean peninsula. The press release stresses that “five years on from the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia, the EU remains steadfast in its commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The EU does not recognize and continues to condemn this violation of international law.” Besides the EU has progressively imposed restrictive measures against Russia in response to this deliberate destabilization of Ukraine. These sanctions currently in place until 31 July 2019. DW