Latest Russia sanctions imposed five years after illegal Crimea annexation

In a coordinated effort, Western governments delivered
the latest round of sanctions against the Russia on the eve of the five-year
anniversary of its organization of the illegal declaration of independence of
the Crimean peninsula. In addition to addressing those responsible for the
illegal annexation and backing Donbas warfare, this round of sanctions also
targeted those involved in the Nov. 25 attack on Ukrainian navy ships by
Russian border officials, which resulted in three ships being detained and two
dozen sailors being imprisoned.

The EU Council imposed sanctions on eight Russian
border officials involved in the Nov. 25 attack, as published in the EU Journal
on March 14, and renewed sanctions related to the illegal annexation against
163 individuals and 44 entities. The U.S. Treasury Department targeted six
Russian citizens and eight companies in its sanctions published on March 15.
Meanwhile, the Canadian government imposed sanctions against 114 individuals
and 15 companies for the illegal annexation, Donbas warfare and imprisonment of
sailors. The sanctions were imposed in coordination with the EU and U.S., the
press release said.

Zenon Zawada: A resolution to the Russian-Western conflict is nowhere in sight,
though Western governments continue to demonstrate unity in upholding
international law and the post-WW2 order. In the context of the presidential
elections, Poroshenko’s re-election is the best outcome for Ukraine in
recovering Crimea and the rule of law being restored. However, it’s now apparent
that this conflict between Russia and the West is for the long term.