On 18 June 2018, the Council of the EU extended its sanctions programme in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol for one year until 23 June 2019 (see Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/880).
These sanctions continue to apply to EU persons and EU based companies.
By way of reminder, the measures include prohibitions on:
- imports of products originating in Crimea or Sevastopol into the EU;
- investment in Crimea or Sevastopol (No Europeans or EU-based companies can buy real estate or entities in Crimea, finance Crimean companies, or supply related services.);
- tourism services in Crimea or Sevastopol, in particular, European cruise ships cannot call at ports in the Crimean peninsula, except in case of emergency; and
- exports of certain goods and technologies to Crimean companies or for use in Crimea in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors and related to the prospection, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources. Technical assistance, brokering, construction or engineering services related to infrastructure in these sectors must also not be provided.
Four years on from Russia’s annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, the EU further restated its firm commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
