31 Jul 2018 10:06

EU imposes sanctions against Mostotrest, SGM for building Crimea Bridge

(technical repeat))

MOSCOW. July 31 (Interfax) - The European Union has imposed sanctions against companies that participated in the construction of the bridge across Kerch Strait to Crimea, according to a decision, dated July 30, published on the EU website.

Two companies controlled by tycoon Arkady Rotenberg, PJSC Mostotrest and Stroygazmontazh LLC (SGM) are subject to the European sanctions as of July 31. Both companies were previously included in the U.S. sanctions list.

The EU sanctions also apply to JSC Institute Giprostroymost St. Petersburg, JSC Zaliv Shipyard, Stroygazmontazh-Most LLC and Vologda-based JSC VAD.

The construction of the bridge and its official opening in May 2018 were key symbolic steps in Russia consolidating control over "illegally annexed" Crimea and Sevastopol and the peninsula's further isolation from Ukraine, the statement of reasons for the decision to impose the sanctions said.