Russian organizers will hold a “Koktebel Jazz Party” August 28-30 in Crimea. Crimea remains Ukrainian territory and this event is being conducted without the permission of the Government of Ukraine. It should not be confused with the official Koktebel Jazz Festival, which will be held in the Ukrainian town of Zatoka, near Odesa, August 23-30.
The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that the United States and European Union have instituted broad sanctions on activity in Crimea, in response to Russia’s continuing occupation and attempted annexation of this region. U.S. citizens are prohibited by law from providing services to the territory of Crimea. Please review http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/ukraine.aspx for more information.
The Government of Ukraine may bar entry to any foreigner seeking to enter the country after having entered occupied Crimea without passing through an official Ukrainian Government port of entry, and may subsequently ban such foreigners from entering Ukraine for up to five years.
On July 16, the Department of State renewed the travel warning for Ukraine recommending that U.S. citizens defer travel to the Crimean Peninsula. The Russian Federation maintains an extensive military presence in Crimea. There are continuing reports of abuses against the local population by the occupation authorities in Crimea, particularly against those who are seen as challenging their authority on the peninsula. For more information please consult: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/ukraine-travel-warning.html.
