THE EU POSITION ON CRIMEA

Declaration by the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini (18/03/2019)

1. The European Union remains steadfast in its commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
2. The European Union reiterates that it does not recognise and continues to condemn Russian violation of international law.
3. The European Union remains committed to fully implementing its non-recognition policy, including through restrictive measures.
4. The European Union condemns the construction of the Kerch Bridge without Ukraine's consent.
5. The EU expects Russia to ensure unhindered and free passage of all ships through the Kerch Strait to and from the Azov Sea, in accordance with international law.
6. The European Union does not and will not recognize the holding of elections by the Russian Federation in the Crimean peninsula.
7. The increasing militarisation of the peninsula continues to impact negatively the security situation in the Black Sea region. In violation of international humanitarian law, Russian citizenship and conscription in the armed forces of the Russian Federation have been imposed on Crimean residents.
8. According to EU, the human rights situation in the Crimean peninsula has significantly deteriorated. Residents of the peninsula face systematic restrictions of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, religion or belief and association and the right to peaceful assembly.
9. According to EU the rights of the Crimean Tatars have been gravely violated through the shutting down of Crimean Tatar media outlets, the banning of the activities of the Mejlis, their self-governing body, and the persecution of its leaders and members of their community. The EU expects Russia to reverse these decisions and to end the pressure on the Crimean Tatar community.
10. The EU calls for full compliance with international human rights standards in the peninsula. All pending cases of human rights violations and abuses, such as enforced disappearances, torture and killings, violence, politically motivated prosecutions, discrimination and harassment should be thoroughly investigated. Full, free and unrestricted access for international human rights actors to Crimea  and Sevastopol, continues to be paramount. The EU calls for Russian Federation's obligations under applicable international humanitarian law.

Restrictions on economic relations with Crimea and Sevastopol

The EU Council adopted restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation.

The measures apply to EU persons and EU based companies. They are limited to the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol.

These measures include: 

• an import ban on goods from Crimea and Sevastopol
• restrictions on trade and investment related to certain economic sectors and infrastructure projects
• a prohibition to supply tourism services in Crimea or Sevastopol
• an export ban for certain goods and technologies

On 18 June 2018, the Council extended these measures until 23 June 2019.

The Council also added eight Russian officials to the list of those subject to restrictive measures. The officials sanctioned include:

1. the head and deputy head of the border directorate of Russian federal security service for the Republic of Crimea and City of Sevastopol,
2. three commanding officers of Russian border patrol boats and an anti-submarine ship which actively participated in actions that prevented Ukrainian vessels from accessing their coastline on the Sea of Azov,
3. two heads of service of Russian control points, and
4. a Russian armed forces commander responsible for military forces in the region, including Crimea and Sevastopol.

The Council also extended the validity of these restrictive measures for a further 6 months, until 15 September 2019.

RUSSIA’S RESPONSE

Crimea’s peaceful and legal reunification with Russia did not pose a threat to international security, while military interference in the affairs of sovereign states did (e.g. 1992 and 1999 events in Yugoslavia, 2003 developments in Iraq, 2011 events in Libya). It was not Russia that was behind all that but the authors of pointless statements about Crimea. That is why Russia will talk when the West admits and condemns the crimes committed in the past. Otherwise, there is nothing to talk about. If there is a discussion on the matter, Russia will have a point because Russia’s position is not based on the much talked about geopolitics but on the safety, and future and life of millions of people. They are people who have made their choice independently, without external clues or pressure. This is the difference.

The EU’s non-recognition policy towards Crimea and intention to maintain sanctions looks like a pointless ritual as it cannot influence the real world. The statements and resolutions on Crimea the EU has been adopting become more and more like self-hypnosis because EU politicians are losing touch with reality and have to keep telling themselves that Crimea is part of Ukraine, the referendum was an annexation, the state coup in Kiev was a legal change of power. Such statements have long ceased to influence the real world. However, the Europeans feel more comfortable in the virtual reality they are creating. On the other hand, the gap between the two worlds (real vs. virtual) will continue to grow and one day Europeans will have to come down to earth from their Brussels cabinets and start searching for ways to accept facts they don’t want to accept.