‘Crimean’ sanctions against Russia should be tightened until full de-occupation – Foreign Ministry

Sanctions against Russia due to the illegal annexation of Crimea should be tightened until full de-occupation of the peninsula.

Spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine Mariana Betsa wrote this on Twitter.

"March 16 - 4 years ago Russia held illegitimate 'referendum' in Crimea and attempted illegal annexation. Crime of the RF. Sanctions should be tightened until full de-occupation," Betsa wrote.

On March 16, 2014, the so-called "referendum" was held in the occupied Crimea, and two days later – on March 18 – the "annexation" of Crimea with the Russian Federation was proclaimed.

Neither the "referendum" nor the "annexation" of Crimea to Russia was recognized in the world (except for several countries dependent on Russia, for example, Nauru).

The official date of the beginning of the temporary occupation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol – February 20, 2014 – was defined by the Law of Ukraine "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Determining the Date of Beginning of Temporary Occupation" dated September 15, 2015. This law contributes to the protection of the rights of the state, citizens and legal entities as well as strengthens Ukraine's position in litigation against the Russian Federation.

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