On 18 June 2018, the Council of the European Union extended by one year, until 23 June 2019, the restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation.

The measures include prohibitions on import of goods from Crimea and Sevastopol, investment in Crimea or Sevastopol, tourism services in those territories and exports of certain goods and technologies in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors and related to the prospection, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources. The restrictions apply to EU persons and EU based companies and are limited to the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol.

Previously, in March 2018, the Council has prolonged until 15 September 2018 the application of sanctions targeting actions against Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, consisting of asset freezes and a travel ban applying to 150 people and 38 entities. Moreover, in May 2018, the Council has added five people to the sanction list for their involvement in the organisation of Russian presidential elections in illegally annexed Crimea and Sevastopol, since they actively supported and implemented policies that undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Davide Scavuzzo