The General Court [official website] of the European Union upheld the 2014 sanctions [press release] levied against the Russian arms manufacturer Almaz-Antey [corporatewebsite] after the company’s involvement in undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The court found that the Council did not act disproportionately in deciding to freeze the funds of entities supporting, materially or financially, actions of the Russian government that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

The situation involving Russia and Ukraine has been a source of conflict since the Russian annexation of Crimea [JURIST backgrounder] in March 2014. Earlier this month, Ukraine filed suit against Russia in the International Court of Justice for alleged acts of terrorism and discrimination; the case has been filed for violations of various international conventions [JURIST report]. In December the Amsterdam District Court ruled [JURIST report] that Crimean gold artifacts are to be returned to Ukraine and not Crimea. The artifacts, including gems, helmets and scabbards, were on loan to Amsterdam’s Allard Pierson Museum when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014. A UN report [JURIST report] later that month stated that failure by parties in eastern Ukraine to implement the Minsk Agreements has led to numerous human rights violations against Ukrainian civilians.