UWC welcomes restrictive measures by EU against five individuals involved in the organization of illegal elections in Crimea

The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) welcomes the decision of 14 May 2018 by the Council of the European Union to impose restrictive measures against five Russian individuals over actions undermining the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. These officials of the Russian occupation authorities helped organize the Russian presidential elections of 18 March 2018 on the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol, which are illegally occupied by the Russian Federation since February 2014.

The restrictive measures involve asset freezes and visa bans, which are now in effect for a total of 155 officials from the Russian Federation and the militants it supports in Eastern Ukraine, as well as for 38 legal entities. The restrictive measures were first introduced in March 2014. They were last extended on 12 March 2018 for an additional six months until 15 September 2018.

“The Ukrainian World Congress welcomes the imposition of restrictive measures against persons who violate Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and calls on the international community to maintain pressure on the Russian Federation until it de-occupies Crimea and withdraws its troops from the Donbas,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.