European Union renews sanctions to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity

The European Union on Thursday extended by six months the application of “restrictive measures targeting actions against Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence”. “In this situation, I wish to point out that the organisation of the Russian Duma elections in Crimea and Sevastopol is illegal, ” the foreign minister noted in the document.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement “Our position on Crimea is clear: the peninsula remains an integral part of Ukraine”.

The latest measures are meant to strengthen existing sanctions and shouldn’t be viewed as intensified economic pressure against the Russian government, US State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said.

– Restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol, limited to the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol, now in place until 23 June 2017.

“Canada condemns violations by Russian Federation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and remains steadfast in its position of non-recognition of the illegal occupation of Crimea”, he said.

Russian Federation annexed Crimea in 2014 after Moscow-supported President Viktor Yanukovych was overthrown in Kyiv.

A third set of sanctions, imposed against individuals and companies said to have aided Russia’s annexation of Crimea, were rolled over for a year in June.

The election to the Russian State Duma is scheduled for this Sunday, Sept. 18.