Foreign companies operating in Crimea in violation of Ukrainian laws will be held to account – Foreign Ministry

13:17, 22.04.2015 1 min read

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has reminded foreign companies that they will be held to account it they conduct business in occupied Crimea in violation of Ukrainian law.

"Lately, we've noticed the intention of certain foreign companies to start business in Crimea. In this regard, I remind [the companies] that conducting economic activity in the temporary occupied territories of Ukraine by foreign business entities must be done in accordance with the requirements of Ukrainian laws on the status of this territory. Violations of these demands will lead to liability of guilty persons in accordance with the current laws of Ukraine," Foreign Ministry spokesman Yevhen Perebyinis said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday.

"Ukraine will consider such actions as damaging to its national interest, security, sovereignty and territorial integrity. [Ukraine] reserves the right to use special economic and other restrictive measures or sanctions in regard to foreign violators," he added.