The Monument to the Scuttled Ships in Sevastopol. File photoBRUSSELS, June 20 The European Union has extended sanctions against Crimea and Sevastopol for a year, until June 23, 2023, according to a widespread EU statement.»Today, the EU Council decided to extend sanctions until June 23, 2023 , introduced in response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol,» the document states. will come into force after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. The sanctions are intended to limit the EU's economic relations with these Russian regions. In particular, individuals and organizations in the EU are prohibited from importing products from the Crimea and Sevastopol. Restrictions also apply to trade, the tourism sector, and investment in a number of economic sectors in the region. Crimea became a Russian region after a referendum held there in March 2014, in which 96.77% of Crimean voters and 95.6% of Sevastopol residents voted for joining Russia. Ukraine still considers Crimea its own, but temporarily occupied territory. The European Union has repeatedly stated that it does not recognize the entry of Crimea and Sevastopol into Russia. The leadership of the Russian Federation has repeatedly stated that the inhabitants of Crimea democratically, in full accordance with international law and the UN Charter, voted for reunification with Russia. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the issue of Crimea is «finally closed.»
