The EU approved the expansion of sanctions against Russia over the Crimean bridge

EU ambassadors have approved sanctions against the spirit of the man and the four companies responsible for the construction of the Crimean Bridge, journalist Rikard Jozwiak said on his Twitter page.

“The EU ambassadors gave the green light to sanctions against two people and four companies responsible for the construction of the Kerch Bridge,” the statement said.

Earlier, TASS, citing a European diplomatic source, said that the EU ambassadors agreed to include two people and four legal entities in the sanctions list against Russia for participating in the construction of the Crimean bridge, says Vedomosti. The EU Council will make a formal decision later on the basis of a written procedure, the agency reports.

For the first time, the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia in connection with the annexation of Crimea in June 2014. The EU still considers the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol to Russia to be an “illegal annexation and a violation of international law.” In June 2020, the EU extended sanctions until June 23, 2021.

Restrictions include a ban on the import of goods from Crimea or Sevastopol to the European Union, and financial or infrastructural investments in tourism services on the peninsula are prohibited. The restrictions also cover the export of certain goods and technologies for Crimean companies, the use of transport, telecommunications and energy for the exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources.