US slaps sanctions against top Russian officials over Crimea

The US today imposed sanctions on seven top Russian officials, including presidential aides, and lawmakers for their alleged actions in Crimea that violated Ukraine's sovereignty, the White House said.
The White House announcement came as US President Barack Obama in an executive order imposed sanctions related to Russia's incursion into Ukraine.
The sanction was also imposed on former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
"The US also will seek to hold accountable individuals who use their resources or influence to support or act on behalf of senior Russian government officials," the White House said.
"We recognise that the Russian leadership derives significant support from, and takes action through, individuals who do not themselves serve in any official capacity. Our current focus is to identify these individuals and target their personal assets, but not companies that they may manage on behalf of the Russian state," it said.

The announcement came shortly after Crimea's parliament today declared the region an independent state after a referendum held yesterday.

Earlier in the day, the European Union announced travel bans and asset freezes on 21 people they have linked to the unrest in Crimea.
The new executive order authorises US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to work with Secretary of State John Kerry to impose sanctions on "any individual or entity that operates in the Russian arms industry, and any designated individual or entity that acts on behalf of, or that provides material or other support to, any senior Russian government official", it said.

The sanctions are intended to "impose costs on named individuals who wield influence in the Russian government and those responsible for the deteriorating situation in Ukraine," the White House said.
"We stand ready to use these authorities in a direct and targeted fashion as events warrant," it added.
In response to the Russian government's actions contributing to the crisis in Ukraine, this new order lists seven Russian government officials who are being designated for sanctions.
The officials named in the list were Vladislav Surkov, Sergey Glazyev (both aides to President Vladimir Putin), Leonid Slutsky, Andrei Klishas, Valentina Matviyenko, Dmitry Rogozin, and Yelena Mizulina.

The Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on four other individuals under for their actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine and in undermining the Government of Ukraine.