Obama Announces New Sanctions Against Russia

US President Barack Obama on Thursday announced new sanctions against Russian officials and businessmen related to the government. Obama said more Russians were added to the blacklist of individuals, who are subject to travel restrictions and whose assets in the US will be frozen. "We're imposing sanctions on more senior officials of the Russian government,” Obama said. The US president also mentioned that sanctions will be imposed on The Rossiya Bank. “In addition, we are today sanctioning a number of other individuals with substantial resources and influence who provide material support to the Russian leadership, as well as a bank that provides material support to these individuals," he continued. The U.S. Department of the Treasury said on Thursday its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated sixteen Russian government officials and four individuals who provide “material support” to the Russian government. The list includes presidential aide Andrei Fursenko, Presidential Executive Office Chief of Staff Sergei Ivanov, head of Russia’s military intelligence service GRU Igor Sergun, head of Russia’s railway monopoly RZD Vladimir Yakunin and a number of senior lawmakers.

http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140320/188610017/Obama-Announces-New-Sanctions-Against-Russia.html