The EU reiterates its call for the immediate release of Oleh Sentsov, Edem Bekirov, Oleksandr Kolchenko, Mykola Semena, Volodymyr Balukh, Emir-Usein Kuku and all those who have been detained in the Crimean peninsula and sentenced in breach of international law as well as the illegally captured Ukrainian crewmembers unconditionally and without further delay. This is stated in the declaration by the High Representative Federica Mogherini on behalf of the EU on the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
The declaration notes that five years on from the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, the European Union remains steadfast in its commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The European Union reiterates that it does not recognise and continues to condemn this violation of international law. It remains a direct challenge to international security, with grave implications for the international legal order that protects the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of all States, – states in the message!
The European Union remains committed to fully implementing its non-recognition policy, including through restrictive measures.
The European Union calls again on UN Member States to consider similar non-recognition measures in line with the UN General Assembly Resolution 68/262, – EU stresses.
The European Union condemns the construction of the Kerch Bridge without Ukraine's consent. The European Union does not and will not recognise the holding of elections by the Russian Federation in the Crimean peninsula. Besides residents of the peninsula face systematic restrictions of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression, religion or belief and association and the right to peaceful assembly.
EU underlines that the rights of the Crimean Tatars have been gravely violated. This happens because of the shutting down of Crimean Tatar media outlets, the banning of the activities of the Mejlis, their self-governing body, and the persecution of its leaders.
The EU expects Russia to reverse these decisions and to end the pressure on the Crimean Tatar community.
The EU expects Russia to reverse these decisions and to end the pressure on the Crimean Tatar community and calls for full compliance with international human rights standards in the peninsula.