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McDonald’s has closed down its Crimean restaurants following sanctions on Moscow. Reuters

McDonald's has become the second international company to terminate operations in Crimea, saying that it has suspended work for "manufacturing reasons".

Geneva-based Universal Postal Deutsche Post was the first to announce that it was pulling out of Crimea saying it could not guarantee the delivery of letters in the region.

Crimea's sudden unification with Russia, which is not recognised by the West, has left many companies unsure about what the actual impact business will amount to, following economic sanctions from Washington on Moscow last month.

McDonald's said that it will help staff to relocate to Ukraine, offering the same positions and pay in other restaurants - a sign that it does not expect its Crimea-based outlets to reopen in the near future.

A statement from the fast food giant said: "The company has provided an opportunity to all employees to transfer to any other McDonald's restaurants in Ukraine preserving their positions, salaries and fees and paying to relocate employees and their families."

McDonald's had been operating three restaurants in Crimea.