The EU imposed additional sanctions on Crimea on Thursday, banning all investment and cruise ships from its ports to force home the message the bloc will not recognise Russia’s “illegal annexation” of Ukraine territory.
“The annexation is illegal and what we are doing is part of the non-recognition” policy, European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said, calling on Russia to help end the Ukraine crisis which has cost more than 4,600 lives since Moscow seized Crimea in March.
EU foreign ministers agreed last month to take further action over Crimea, with the latest measures approved by the 28 members grouped in the European Council, its political arm.
Under the new restrictions, European Union companies will not be allowed to buy real estate in Crimea, finance local companies or supply related services. Tourism services are also banned, with cruise ships barred from Crimea ports, except in an emergency. EU companies can no longer export goods or technology for use in the transport, telecoms and energy sectors.