US Toughens Sanctions on Russia Over Ukraine Crisis

The United States has announced new sanctions against Russia in relation to the events in Ukraine, Monday.

According to the statement of the press secretary of the White House, US has taken further action in response to Russia's "continued illegal intervention in Ukraine and provocative acts that undermine Ukraine's democracy and threaten its peace, security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity".

The new measures will affect seven Russian government officials, including two members of President Putin's inner circle, who will be subject to an asset freeze and a US visa ban, and 17 companies linked to Putin's inner circle, which will be subject to an asset freeze.

The US Department of treasury said that the list includes Oleg Belaventsev, Sergei Chemezov, Dmitry Kozak, Eugene Murov, Alexei Pushkov, Igor Sechin, Vyacheslav Volodin.

In addition, the Department of Commerce has imposed additional restrictions on 13 of the sanctioned companies by introducing a license requirement with a presumption of denial for the export, re-export or other foreign transfer of US-origin items to the companies.

Further, the Departments of Commerce and State have announced a tightened policy to deny export license applications for any high-technology items that could contribute to Russia's military capabilities. Those Departments also will revoke any existing export licenses that meet these conditions.

"The United States, working closely with its partners, remains prepared to impose still greater costs on Russia if the Russian leadership continues these provocations instead of de-escalating the situation, consistent with its Geneva commitments," the statement said.

In case of further Russian...