EU imposes new sanctions against Crimea

"The Council has imposed significant additional sanctions on investment, services and trade with Crimea and Sevastopol. This strengthens the EU's policy of non-recognition of the illegal Russian annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol", says the statement of the Council of the European Union, reports the Patria News Agency.

With these measures, announced a few hours before the EU summit, where the Ukrainian crisis will also be one of the topics, the EU is strengthening the previously imposed sanctions targeting the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which Russia annexed.

"From December 20, all investments in Crimea and Sevastopol are prohibited. Europeans and companies headquartered in the EU cannot buy real estate in Crimea, finance local companies or provide any services", the statement said.

It was also decided that from March 15, European ships, including cruise ships, will not be allowed to enter ports in Crimea, except in cases of emergency.