February 21 (UPI) - The European Union on Monday approved five people involved in Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea.
The European Council, which sets the political direction of the 27-member bloc, said those elected to represent the illegally occupied Crimean peninsula and the city of Sevastopol in the lower house State Duma on 19 September would be subject to asset freezes and travel restrictions. as well as targeted. Deputy Chief of the Election Commission of Sevastopol.
"The European Union does not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, and continues to condemn Russian violations of international law," the European Council said in a statement. "Furthermore, the EU remains unwavering in its support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine."
The union has blacklisted 193 people and 48 entities who have undermined the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which was annulled by the Kremlin at the end of winter 2014 for condemnation of Western countries.
After the merger, sanctions were imposed, and those same Allies now fear that another Russian invasion of Ukraine may be imminent.
Russia has amassed more than 150,000 troops along the Ukrainian border, and US officials have warned the former Soviet Union nation could be invaded any day.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday deployed troops under new decrees recognizing two separatist regions of eastern Ukraine as independent republics.
Soon after Putin signed the decree, US President Joe Biden and the European Union responded with sanctions.