Crimea referendum invalid: Timmermans
"The Crimea referendum violates the Constitution of the Ukraine and is a result of military aggression. The referendum was not recognized, therefore the results are not recognized," said Minister of Foreign Affairs, Frans Timmermans, in a response to the recently held referendum on Crimea.
Timmermans stated sanctions will be unavoidable. The European Union (EU) recently already halted negotiations about visa free travels and a new general agreement with Russia. The EU may consider more severe economic sanctions to increase pressure on Moscow. So far sanctions include freezing assets and travel restrictions. Although not formally published, the EU black list has 21 names, including 8 Crimea politicians, 10 Russian politicians, members of the Duma, and 3 Russian soldiers, according to correspondent Marc Peeperkoorn.