(VOVworld) - The European Union will ban all investment in Crimea, annexed by Russia in March, to keep up the pressure on Moscow, EU diplomatic sources said Tuesday.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini (Photo: presstv.ir)

The export of EU-made goods for the transportation, telecom, energy, oil, and gas sectors in Crimea will also be halted, according to the sources. In addition, tourism services will be banned and cruise ships will be barred from calling at Crimean ports.

The EU's 28 member states are expected to formally endorse the ban on Thursday when EU leaders convene in Brussels for a regular summit meeting.

By a referendum in March with 97 percent of votes in favor, Crimea agreed to annexation by Russia, but the US and EU have not accepted this and have imposed sanctions against both Russia and Crimea.