EU extends sanctions on Crimea, Sevastopol for a year

The European Union on Monday extended economic sanctions imposed on the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by a year, with the measures now due to stay in place until June 23, 2019.

The sanctions, which prevent EU citizens and companies from investing in Crimea and Sevastopol as well as importing goods from there, were introduced after Russia's illegal annexation of the two territories in March 2014.

Relations between Russia and the EU have plummeted since 2014, largely due to events in Crimea as well as Moscow's support for pro-Russian separatists in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The measures extended on Monday include a ban on European exports of goods and technology in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors, including oil and gas prospecting.

European tourism operators are also excluded from operating out of the two regions - meaning, for example, that European cruise ships can dock there only in case of emergency - while EU citizens and companies cannot invest or buy property in Crimea or Sevastopol.

The measures, geographically limited to Crimea and Sevastopol, run parallel to economic sanctions targeting Russia over the country's role in the Ukrainian conflict. The sanctions against Russia currently run until July 31.