L 78/16 Official Journal of the European Union 17.3.2014 DECISIONS COUNCIL DECISION 2014/145/CFSP of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof, Whereas: (1)  On 6 March 2014, the Heads of State or Government of the Union’s Member States strongly condemned the unprovoked violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and terri- torial integrity by the Russian Federation and called on the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw its armed forces to the areas of their permanent stationing, in accordance with the relevant agreements. They called on the Russian Federation to enable immediate access for international monitors. The Heads of State or Government considered that the decision by the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to hold a referendum on the future status of the territory is contrary to the Ukrainian Constitution and therefore illegal. (2)  The Heads of State or Government decided to take actions, including those envisaged by the Council on 3 March 2014, notably to suspend bilateral talks with the Russian Federation on visa matters as well as talks with the Russian Federation on a new comprehensive Agreement which would replace the existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. (3)  The Heads of State or Government underlined that the solution to the crisis should be found through negoti- ations between the Governments of Ukraine and of the Russian Federation, including through potential multi- lateral mechanisms, and that in the absence of results within a limited timeframe the Union will decide on additional measures, such as travel bans, asset freezes and the cancellation of the EU-Russia summit. (4) In the current circumstances, travel restrictions and an asset freeze should be imposed against persons responsible for actions which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, including actions on the future status of any part of the territory which are contrary to the Ukrainian Constitution, and persons, entities or bodies associated with them. (5)  Further action by the Union is needed in order to implement certain measures, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the entry into, or transit through, their territories of the natural persons responsible for actions which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and inde- pendence of Ukraine, and of natural persons associated with them, as listed in the Annex. 2. Paragraph 1 shall not oblige a Member State to refuse its own nationals entry into its territory. 3. Paragraph 1 shall be without prejudice to the cases where a Member State is bound by an obligation of international law, namely: (a) as a host country to an international intergovernmental organisation; (b) as a host country to an international conference convened by, or under the auspices of the United Nations; (c) under a multilateral agreement conferring privileges and immunities; or (d) under the 1929 Treaty of Conciliation (Lateran pact) concluded by the Holy See (State of the Vatican City) and Italy. 4. Paragraph 3 shall be considered as also applying in cases where a Member State is host country to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). 5. The Council shall be duly informed in all cases where a Member State grants an exemption pursuant to paragraphs 3 or 4. 6.  Member States may grant exemptions from the measures imposed under paragraph 1 where travel is justified on the grounds of urgent humanitarian need, or on grounds of attending intergovernmental meetings, and those promoted or hosted by the Union, or hosted by a Member State holding the Chairmanship in office of the OSCE, where a political dialogue is conducted that directly promotes the policy objectives of the restrictive measures, including support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.