EU sanctions five involved in Russian elections in Crimea/Sevastopol

The EU Council has added five individuals in positions of responsibility in the electoral commissions of Crimea or Sevastopol to its sanctions list. The five were involved in the organisation of the Russian presidential elections on 18 March in Crimea and Sevastopol, thereby ‘actively supporting and implementing policies that undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.’

The decision brings the total number of individuals listed by the EU over the Ukrainian conflict to 155. Those sanctioned are subject to travel bans and asset freezes. Since March 2014, both the US and the EU have imposed a range of restrictive measures against Russia and individuals connected with the ‘illegal’ annexation of Crimea and the ‘deliberate’ destabilisation of Ukraine.

For the EU press release see:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2018/05/14/ukraine-eu-adds-five-persons-involved-in-the-organisation-of-russian-presidential-elections-in-illegally-annexed-crimea-and-sevastopol-to-sanctions-list/pdf

For EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/706 see:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32018D0706&from=EN

For EU Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/705 see:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32018R0705&from=EN