Obama considering fresh sanctions against Russia over Ukraine crisis
The Barrack Obama administration moved Thursday to update
and fine-tune sanctions on Russia, pro-Russian companies and people over the
conflict in Ukraine.
The Treasury Department announced it had placed the names of
26 individuals and entities on blacklists that freeze any assets they may have
in United States, jurisdictions, reports AP.
The blacklists also bar Americans from doing
business with them.
Officials said the step is intended to maintain the
effectiveness of existing sanctions, not to expand the penalties in response to
any escalation in the Ukraine crisis.
"Today's action underscores our resolve to maintain
pressure on Russia for violating international law and fueling the conflict in
eastern Ukraine," said John E. Smith, the director of Treasury's Office of
Foreign Assets Control. "Our message is clear: we will continue to act to
ensure the effectiveness of our sanctions."
Thirteen of the 26 were targeted for helping others evade
previous sanctions. Five are former Ukrainian officials accused of corruption
and undermining democracy, according to Treasury.
Five others operate ports in Crimea, the region that Russia
annexed from Ukraine last year. One of those is a Crimean ferry operator.
The other two are arms sector companies that operate in
Russia.
In addition, several firms owned by previously sanctioned
companies were named. These subsidiaries were already covered by the existing
sanctions but Treasury said they were now being specifically identified.
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