Five years to the day after the illegal annexation of Crimea, the European Union recalled its condemnation of this annexation and its non-recognition, in a statement issued on 17 March on behalf of the 28 Member States.
The long declaration recalls the position of the Twenty-Eight, including their firm commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and their determination to fully implement their policy of non-recognition, including through restrictive measures.
The statement stresses the “worrying rise in tensions in the Kerch Strait and Azov Sea”, the origin of which is to be found in “Russia's violations of international law”. “Russia's unjustified use of force against Ukraine on 25 November 2018 reminds us of the negative effects of the illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula on the stability of the region,” the Twenty-Eight worry, calling once again on Moscow to release unconditionally and without further delay Ukrainian crew members, ships and equipment seized illegally. Pending such release, Russia should respect the crew's rights to legal representation and access to consular authorities and provide injured crew members with appropriate medical treatment, the statement added. Reiterating its condemnation of the construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge, which connects the Crimea to Russia, without the consent of Ukraine, the EU expects Russia to ensure the free and unhindered passage, in both directions, of all vessels in the Kerch Strait, in accordance with international law. “Illegal restrictions on this passage have negative economic consequences for Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea and for the entire region,” the Twenty-Eight denounce.
Member States are also concerned that the “increasing” militarisation of the peninsula continues to have a negative impact on the security situation in the Black Sea region. They further condemn the human rights situation, in particular that of the Tatars, which has “deteriorated deeply in Crimea”, denouncing the “systematic restrictions of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, religion or belief and association, as well as the right to peaceful assembly”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)