18/03/2014 09:44
West hits back at Russians over Crimea
The United States and Europe targeted 28 Russian and Ukrainian officials with sanctions over the crisis in Crimea on Monday. But they stopped short of measures that would hit trade, CNN reported.
Western nations have decried Russian military intervention in Ukraine's southern region. They say a huge vote Sunday by Crimeans in favor of joining Russia was illegal, and warned of further action if Moscow takes steps to annex the Black Sea peninsula.
The European Union imposed travel restrictions and asset freezes on Russian legislators, three military commanders, and members of Crimea's breakaway administration.
The U.S. government went after more senior Russian officials with similar measures, including close advisers to Russian President Vladimir Putin and a Russian deputy prime minister. It also moved to ban entry to the U.S. and freeze assets held by any Russian government official, or people with close financial ties to the named individuals.
"Our current focus is to identify these individuals and target their personal assets, but not companies that they may manage on behalf of the Russian state," the White House said.