Putin extends Russian retaliatory sanctions against EU

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin extended retaliatory sanctions on the EU until the end of 2020 on Monday.

According to the online official statement, Russia kept its list of prohibited imports from the EU unchanged.

Meanwhile, Putin authorized transit transportation of sanctioned products in sealed vehicles under the condition that they be tracked by the Russian global navigation system, GLONASS.

The EU first imposed economic sanctions against Russia in 2014 over Russia’s role in the conflict in Ukraine. In response, Russia halted imports of some European foods and other product.

Ukraine has been wracked by conflict since March 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea after an illegal independence vote.

The UN General Assembly voted to proclaim the Russian annexation illegal.

Russia’s annexation led Western powers, including the U.S., to impose sanctions against Moscow.

Along with the UN General Assembly, the U.S., EU, and Turkey do not recognize Crimea as Russian territory.