OREANDA-NEWS The Council of the European Union (EU) has extended sanctions against Crimea and Sevastopol for a year. A message about this is published on the council's website.

"Today, the EU Council decided to extend the sanctions imposed by the EU in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation until June 23, 2023," the publication says.

The restrictions introduced in 2014 imply a ban on imports to the EU of products manufactured in Crimea, financial investments in the region and the tourism sector. The sanctions also relate to the export of certain goods and technologies to Crimean companies.

Crimea and Sevastopol became part of Russia after a referendum held in March 2014, in which the overwhelming majority of the region's residents voted supported this decision.