US Imposes New Crimea Trade Restrictions, Sanctions: White House

© Sputnik / Taras Litvinenko / Go to the mediabankCrimean Prosecutor Natalia Poklonskaya
Crimean Prosecutor Natalia Poklonskaya - Sputnik International
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According to a White House statement issued Friday, US President Barack Obama has issued an executive order, imposing new restrictions on Crimea and introducing new sanctions against certain individuals, including the Crimean Prosecutor, as well as the heads of the self-proclaimed people's republics of Luhansk and Donetsk.

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WASHINGTON, December 20 (Sputnik) – US President Barack Obama has issued an executive order imposing new restrictions on investment and trade with Crimea and introducing new sanctions against certain individuals operating in the region.

According to a White House statement issued Friday, Obama's executive order "prohibits the export of goods, technology, or services to Crimea and prohibits the import of goods, technology, or services from Crimea, as well as new investments in Crimea".

The executive order "also authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to impose sanctions on individuals and entities operating in Crimea", the statement said.

Forty percent of European Union citizens polled argue that sanctions imposed by the West on Russia over its alleged involvement in the Ukrainian conflict should not be lifted, according to a poll conducted by ICM Research exclusively for the Sputnik news agency. - Sputnik International
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According to the US Treasury Department, Crimean Prosecutor Natalia Poklonskaya, as well as the heads of the self-proclaimed people's republics of Luhansk (LPR) and Donetsk (DPR) — Igor Plotnitsky and Alexander Zakharchenko — are included on the sanctions list.

On Thursday, EU leaders agreed to amend a regulation, concerning Europe's restrictive measures introduced in response to Crimea's reunification with Russia.

The amendment stipulates a ban on all foreign investments in Crimea or Sevastopol.

Crimean voters backed reunification with Russia by an overwhelming 96 percent majority in a referendum held on March 16. Russia's reunification with its former republic led to a current political standoff between Moscow and largely pro-Kiev Western countries that have refused to recognize the legitimacy of the vote.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 24, 2014. - Sputnik International
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The West has also been accusing Russia of supporting independence fighters in Ukraine's southeastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, where Kiev forces launched a special military operation in mid-April in response to local residents" refusal to recognize the country's new government. However, no factual evidence has been provided that would support claims of Russia aiding LPR and DPR fighters.

The United States, the European Union and their allies have adopted several rounds of sanctions against Russia over Moscow's alleged role in the Ukrainian crisis. The sanctions target Russia's banking, energy and defense sectors, as well as certain individuals.

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