EU will not recognize results of Russian presidential election in Crimea
The European Union will not recognize results of the Russian presidential election in the territory of Crimea, as stated by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, at a joint press conference with President Petro Poroshenko, broadcast by 112 Ukraine.
Mogherini said that the annexation of the Crimea violated international law and noted that the EU would not recognize the elections being held in the Crimea.
The EU High Representative also noted that the EU would further call for "respect to rights of the people" living in the territory of the peninsula, including the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people. "We will be on your side," she added.
Earlier, the EU prolonged the sanctions against a number of companies and individuals accused by the EU authorities of involvement in violation of Ukraine's sovereignty by six months. In particular, the EU froze the assets of 150 individuals and 38 legal entities until March 15, 2018.
Therefore, the EU retained the sanctions against 150 citizens of Russia and representatives of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics as well as against 38 non-governmental organizations and companies operating in the DPR, LPR, or in the Crimea.
The Crimea was annexed by the Russian Federation following the referendum held on March 16, 2014. Ukrainian authorities and western countries declared the act as an annexation. The Russian presidential election is scheduled for March 18.