On 31 July 2018, the Council of the European Union added six entities to the list of those subject to restrictive measures over actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The restrictive measures consist in the freeze of all of the assets in the EU belonging to these entities.

The involved entities have participated to the construction of the Kerch Bridge, connecting Russia to the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula, in this way supporting the consolidation of Russia’s control over the Crimean peninsula, which in turn further undermines the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

The Council decision brings the total number of entities listed by the EU to 44. Moreover, under this sanctions regime, the EU has imposed a travel ban and an asset freeze on 155 individuals.

Recently, the Council has also prolonged the economic sanctionstargeting specific sectors of the Russian economy until 31 January 2019, as well as the restrictive measuresin response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia, until 23 June 2019.

Sara Capruzzi