The House of Representatives of the US Congress approved a bill on sanctions against individuals involved in the construction of the Crimean Bridge. This was announced on X.
The bill was introduced by Democrat Gregory Meeks, a member of the House.
The document states: “To require the imposition of sanctions with respect to any foreign person that knowingly participates in the construction, maintenance, or repair of a tunnel or bridge that connects the Russian mainland with the Crimean peninsula.”
The Crimean bridge crosses the Kerch Strait, linking the Kerch and Taman Peninsulas. Its construction began in 2016, after Russia took control of Crimea. It is 19 kilometers long.
In June 2014, the European Union imposed sanctions on Russia in connection with its annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol. These sanctions include restrictions on the sale of goods, provision of technical assistance, and services to individuals and companies located in Crimea, or for use within Crimea.
In 2016, the US added several Russian companies involved in building the Crimean bridge to its sanctions list, including Giprostroymost, a company that developed the bridge design, SGM-Most, a subsidiary of Stroygazmontage owned by Russian businessman Arkady Rotenberg, and Mostotrest.
In July 2018, the European Union imposed sanctions on companies involved in the construction of the Crimean Bridge. The list includes the contractors and subcontractors of the bridge construction – Arkady Rotenberg’s Stroygazmontazh and Mostotrest companies, which are already on the US sanctions list. Sanctions were also imposed on Zaliv Shipyard and Tavrida Highway reconstruction contractors.
