President Obama today announced sanctions against specific officials in the Russian government for their support of Crimea's vote to secede from Ukraine in the most comprehensive sanctions against Russia since the end of the Cold War:
The sanctions are some of the most comprehensive placed on Russia since the Cold War. While they do not target Putin directly, that are aimed at individuals in his inner circle in the Russian government.
The measures are directed against 11 individuals, including Vladislav Surkov, a close adviser to Putin, Dmitry Rogozin, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, a Valentina Matviyenko, a senior lawmaker and chair of the upper house of parliament, and Viktor Yanukovych, the ousted former president of Ukraine.
Following a "referendum" in the region of Crimea, which has been occupied by Russian troops, Obama warned Putin in a phone call that the results, which overwhelmingly went in favor of Crimea joining Russia, would "never be recognized by the United States and the international community."
According to a senior US official there will be further sanctions if Russia acts to formally recognize the referendum and annex Ukraine.
The European Union has announced assets freezes and travel bans for 21 individuals linked to the unrest in Crimea.
(via ABC News)
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