US imposes Ukraine-related sanctions

The Kremlin says new US sanctions against individuals and entities in relation to the Ukraine conflict continue an "unfriendly stance" toward Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin Source: AAP

The United States has imposed sanctions on 34 individuals and entities as part of its efforts to pressure Russia for its intervention in Ukraine.

"Today's steps support the US commitment to seek a diplomatic resolution to the crisis in Ukraine by maintaining our sanctions on Russia," the US Treasury Department said in a statement on Tuesday.

The US sanctions would not begin to roll back until Russia fully implements its commitments under the Minsk peace agreement, "including the return to Ukraine of control of its side of the international border with Russia", it added.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters the measures were a continuation of an "unfriendly stance" toward Russia.

In such cases, he said, "a principle of reciprocity prevails".

More than 9000 people have been killed in fighting between Kiev's forces and Russia-backed separatists in east Ukraine since April 2014.

The US measures were announced a day after the European Union extended economic sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine until the end of July, drawing a swift rebuke from the Russian economy minister.

The Treasury listed different reasons for the latest designations, including against 14 who had helped previously targeted people and entities evade sanctions, six Ukrainian separatists, and two who were officials in the government of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich.


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Published 23 December 2015 6:20am
Updated 17 February 2016 8:18am
Source: AAP


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