Klimkin threatened German companies operating in the Crimea

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Ukrainian authorities are preparing measures against German companies operating in the Crimea in defiance of EU sanctions, said Foreign Minister Pavel Klimkin in an interview with the newspaper Rheinische Post.

"We have at our disposal a wide range of legal mechanisms that we can operate on. At the moment we are in the process of finding a balanced solution," Klimkin said.

He refused to disclose details, citing confidentiality.

In January, the Foreign Minister claimed that German companies, in particular Volkswagen and Adidas, "count the Crimea to the territory of Russia," and threatened to "get them not only through political, but also legal methods."

The Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly stated that a number of well-known automakers are working in the Crimea in circumvention of sanctions. Among them: Nissan, Toyota, Peugeot, Mitsubishi, Kia Motors, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Skoda, Isuzu, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), Renault, Lexus. It is noted that their dealer centers provide the Crimean "a full range of services and warranty works."

The EU banned companies under its jurisdiction to acquire real estate and shares in companies in the Crimea, to finance business on the peninsula, to establish joint ventures there and to invest in such deals.

Companies are also prohibited from providing services directly related to tourism. In particular, cruise ships can not enter the Crimean ports.

Link: https://ria.ru/world/20180202/1513848998.html