Australia sanctions Russian individual, 4 companies over Crimean Bridge: Foreign Minister

Moscow: Australia has imposed sanctions against one individual and four companies from Russia associated with the construction and operation of the railway section of the Crimean Bridge, the country’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement.
“Australia has imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against a Russian individual and four Russian companies connected to the construction and operation of the Kerch Strait Railway Bridge,” Payne said.
The bridge, she said, was an attempt to “consolidate Russia’s control of the illegally annexed Crimean Peninsula.”
Payne said that Australia continued to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in coordination with international partners.
“Today’s announcement is made in coordination with Canada and aligns with action taken by the United Kingdom and European Union,” she said.
Crimea became a Russian region after a referendum was held there in March 2014, in which 96.77 percent of the voters of the Republic of Crimea and 95.6 percent of Sevastopol residents spoke in favor of reuniting with Russia. Ukraine still considers Crimea to be its own, but temporarily occupied territory.
The Russian leadership has repeatedly stated that Crimean residents democratically, in full compliance with international law and the UN Charter, voted for reunification with Russia. According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Crimea issue is “closed.”