The European Union has condemned Russia’s decision to add Crimea and Sevastopol to the list of border territories of the Russian Federation in which non-Russian citizens are prevented from owning land.

European Commission’s Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano said this in a statement on the Russian land ownership decree affecting Crimea, according to the website of the European External Action Service.

"Russia has recently added, by a presidential decree, most of Crimea and Sevastopol to the list of border territories of the Russian Federation in which non-Russian citizens are prevented from owning land. The European Union does not recognise the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia, which is a clear violation of international law. Therefore, the European Union does not recognise this decree, which is yet another attempt to forcibly integrate the illegally-annexed peninsula into Russia. Crimea is part of Ukraine,” the statement reads.

The decree is also a violation of international humanitarian law, as it is another step towards the imposition of Russian citizenship in the peninsula. This could also lead to the arbitrary deprivation of property.

“The European Union continues to expect Russia to stop all violations of international law in the Crimean peninsula. The European Union is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders,” the spokesperson added.

As reported, on March 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that includes practically the entire territory of the annexed Crimea to the list of territories where the land plots can be owned only by citizens of the Russian Federation.

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