EU, US Impose Sanctions against Russia

The EU and US have announced travel bans and asset freezes against a number of officials from Russia and Ukraine. The moves follow Sunday's referendum in Crimea, in which officials say 97% of voters backed breaking away from Ukraine and joining Russia. The individuals targeted by the sanctions are seen as having played a key role in the referendum, which Kiev, the US and EU deem illegal. The list of names targeted by EU sanctions will not be made public until the measures go into effect, which is expected to be at the latest on Tuesday morning. The US said it had targeted seven top Russian government officials and lawmakers and four Crimea-based separatist leaders with financial sanctions for undermining "democratic processes and institutions in Ukraine". The officials include Sergei Aksyonov, the acting leader of Crimea; Dmitry Rogozin, a Russian deputy prime minister; and Valentina Matviyenko, head of the upper house of the Russian parliament.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26613567