EU adds 13 people, two firms to Russian sanctions list

European Union foreign ministers met in Brussels on May 12 and added 13 people to their visa ban and asset freeze list over Ukraine’s crisis. They are not expected to decide whether to impose tough economic measures on Russia before Ukraine’s May 25 elections, EU officials said.

The 28 EU ministers also said in a statement that two firms in Russia-annexed Crimea would be hit with asset freezes later Monday. The ministers have agreed to expand the visa bans and asset freezes to target people undermining stability in Ukraine or obstructing international organizations there.

France’s external affairs minister Harlem Desir said additional EU sanctions may be imposed if “actions and provocations” hamper the Ukraine presidential election campaign. He said the 13 people targeted Monday included “Ukrainian separatists and Russian officials.”

Those on the new sanctions include the self-proclaimed general prosecutor in Crimea, the commander of Russian airborne troops, a member of Putin’s staff, and people identified by the EU as leaders of the armed pro-Moscow revolt in eastern Ukraine. This brings the total number on the EU’s Russian sanctions list to 61.

The two companies which were sanctioned are companies which were former controlled by the Ukrainian government: gas producer Chornomornaftogaz (which was a subsidiary of Naftogaz of Ukraine before occupation) and oil wholesaler Feodosia. They have been confiscated by the new Crimean leaders following a resolution by the pro-Russian local parliament, the EU said.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said it is essential to show Moscow the bloc is ready to step up measures further “depending on Russia’s attitude toward the elections” in Ukraine. France and Germany had already called on Russia to encourage de-escalation in Ukraine so its presidential elections could take place May 25. If there is no action from President Vladimir Putin, the EU could increase sanctions, the two nations said.

The EU has backed the efforts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to set up talks in Ukraine to contain the situation. France and Germany have already called for a “national dialogue” between the interim government in Kiev and representatives of all Ukrainian regions. This is something that Ukrainian presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko has also been calling for in the last days. Source: International news services