MOSCOW, December 18 (RAPSI) – Council of the European Union has announced on Thursday that a range of new measures are introduced against Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The additional sanctions are imposed to reinforce official EU’s position on not recognizing their illegal annexation by Russia, as stated in the document.

Starting December 20, investments in Crimea and Sevastopol are outlawed. EU citizens and companies are barred from purchasing real estate or entities in Crimea and finance companies.

European operators are prohibited from offering tourism services in Crimea or Sevastopol. EU cruise ships are banned from anchoring at Crimean ports, except in cases of emergency.

Transport, telecommunications and energy technologies are prohibited from export to Crimea and use by Crimean companies.

Crimea, a largely Russian-speaking republic, moved for independence from Ukraine after having refused to recognize the legitimacy of the new government that came to power following the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych in February.

On March 17, President Putin signed a decree recognizing Crimea as an independent state. The same day, Putin and the leaders of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol signed a treaty on the unification of Crimea with Russia.

The United States and the EU have not recognized the legitimacy of Crimea’s accession to Russia and have accused Moscow of interfering in Ukraine’s internal affairs. Russia has dismissed these allegations as unacceptable.