Russia threatens to respond to EU sanctions against the builders of Crimean Bridge
European companies working in Russia may be affected by the sanctions of the European Union imposed against the Russian companies involved in the construction of the Bridge to the Crimea, said the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement published on the Ministry's website.
The Ministry stressed that the "free choice of Crimean residents in favor of accession to Russia is troubling the European Union.” The Ministry told Brussels that since 2016, the European sanctions lists have been updated mainly with Russian citizens “who are, to some extent, involved in the successful democratic development of the Crimea and Sevastopol as part of the Russian Federation.”
“Many companies from EU member countries, including companies in the construction sector whose interests might be affected by the new sanctions ‘spiral’ work in Russia,” Russian Foreign Ministry noted. It also reproached the European Union for betraying their own motto, “Build bridges, not walls,” by creating artificial obstacles to improving standards of living for Crimean residents.
On July 30, the European Council imposed restrictions against six Russian companies involved in the construction of the Crimean Bridge, Tavrida Highway and facilities relating to them: PJSC Mostotrest, Stroygazmontazh Corporation (SGM Group), AO Institute Giprostroymostin Saint-Petersburg, JSC Zaliv Shipyard, Stroygazmontazh Most OOO and CJSC VAD.
The bridge was opened to motorists in May 2018, but the railway section is still under construction and will likely be launched next year.