The European Union on Monday rolled over for another year sanctions imposed to protest Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, which the bloc deems illegal. The Crimea sanctions prohibit certain exports and imports, and ban investment and tourism services by EU-based companies there.
"The Council (of member states) extended the restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by Russia until 23 June 2018," a statement said. "The EU continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation and remains committed to fully implement its non-recognition policy," the Council statement added.
The sanctions were imposed in the wake of Russia's annexation of Crimea in March 2014 as the Ukraine crisis deepened with the ouster of a pro-Moscow government. Efforts to resolve the conflict have failed repeatedly, with the death toll rising to more than 10,000.