The Council of the European is adding seven people to its sanctions list for organising local elections in Crimea illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.
“Through their involvement in the elections, these people actively supported actions and implemented policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine,” the Council of the EU said in a press release.
Three of the sanctioned individuals are members of Sevastopol's electoral commission for the Russian local elections in September 2019.Crimea's so-called prime minister, chairman of Sevastopol's so-called legislative assembly the city's so-called acting governor were also placed under sanctions.
"EU unity and continuous solidarity with Ukraine is key, as Russia continues to undermine independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, " Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius tweeted on Wednesday.
Important decision to sanction individuals involved in organization of ‘local elections‘ in Russia‘s illegally annexed Crimea & Sevastopol. #EU unity & continuous solidarity with #Ukraine is key as #Russia continues to undermine🇺🇦independence, sovereignty & territorial integrity. https://t.co/LTOE4TpVSn
— Linas Linkevicius (@LinkeviciusL) January 29, 2020
In all, the EU has sanctioned 177 individuals over Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and 44 entities subject to asset freezes.
Additionally, the EU has imposed economic sanctions targeting specific sectors of Russia's economy.
