EU extends sanctions against Russia for 1 more year

By Kubra Chohan

ANKARA

The European Union has extended sanctions on Russia for one more year over its actions against Ukraine, the European Council said on Monday.

In a statement, the council said the measures apply to EU persons and EU-based companies through June 23, 2019.

The range of the sanctions is “limited to the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol,” the largest city on the peninsula, it said.

The sanctions include prohibitions on imports of products, investment, tourism services, and exports of certain goods and technologies.

“Four years on from the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, the EU reiterated that it does not recognize and continues to condemn this violation of international law,” the statement added.

Ukraine has been wracked by conflict since March 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea after an illegal independence vote.

The UN General Assembly voted to proclaim the Russian annexation illegal.

Russia’s annexation led Western powers, including the U.S., to impose sanctions against Moscow.

Along with the UN General Assembly, the U.S., the EU, and Turkey do not recognize Crimea as Russian territory.