Today, on 17 June, the European Council extended the sanctions imposed by the EU in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation until 23 June 2025.
This is stated on the website of the European Council.
As noted, the current restrictive measures were first introduced in June 2014 and include a ban on imports of products from the illegally annexed Crimea or Sevastopol to the EU, infrastructure or financial investments, and tourism services from the illegally annexed Crimea or Sevastopol.
In addition, the export of certain goods and technologies to Crimean companies or for use in the illegally annexed Crimea in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors or for the prospecting, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources is also subject to EU restrictions.
"The EU does not recognise and continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation as a violation of international law," the European Council said.
They also added that since 2022, Russia has continued to violate Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity with its unprovoked and unjustified aggressive war against Ukraine.
"The EU remains steadfast in its commitment to Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right to self-defence against Russian aggression, and is committed to the full implementation of its non-recognition policy," the EU said.