EU sanctions Russian companies involved in building bridge to Ukraine

The EU Council has sanctioned six entities involved in the construction of the Kerch Bridge connecting Ukraine to Russia (30 July). The EU states that through the actions of the sanctioned parties ‘they supported the consolidation of Russia’s control over the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula, which in turn further undermines the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.’

The listed entities are Russia-based engineers, road and rail contractors:  AO Institute Giprostroymost – Saint-Petersburg; PJSC Mostotrest; JSC Zaliv Shipyard; Stroygazmontazh Corporation (SGM Group); Stroygazmontazh Most OOO and CJSC VAD.

The move brings the total number of entities listed by the EU for compromising the independence of the Ukraine to 44, together with 155 individuals subject to travel bans and asset freezes.

The EU has also imposed sectoral sanctions targeting the Russian energy, finance and defence industries – as well as dual-use goods – in response to Russia’s 2014 annexation of the region. These measures are in place until 31 January 2019. Additional sanctions targeting economic exchanges within the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol are in place until 23 June 2019.

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1072 of 30 July 2018 can be found here:
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2018.194.01.0147.01.ENG&toc=OJ:L:2018:194:TOC