The European Union criticized the ban on owning land in Crimea, which applies to foreigners. This is stated in the statement of the representative of the EU foreign policy.
“The European Union does not recognize the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula by Russia, which is a clear violation of international law. In this regard, the European Union does not recognize this decree, considers its entry into force as yet another attempt to forcibly integrate the annexed peninsula into Russia, ”the statement says.
According to Brussels, such a decree could force them to take Russian citizenship in Crimea.
In March 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin banned foreigners from owning land plots in Crimea, the Astrakhan and Kaliningrad regions. The restriction applies to foreign citizens, stateless persons and foreign legal entities. The decision came into force last Saturday, March 20.
The Crimean authorities consider this measure to be forced. According to the head of the working group on international legal issues at the permanent representation of Crimea under the President of Russia, Alexander Molokhov, many states restrict the rights of foreigners to own land in zones adjacent to the state border.
Crimea became part of Russia in 2014 following a referendum. Kiev and Western countries do not recognize the procedure as legitimate and declare the violent nature of the annexation of the peninsula by Russia.
