US, EU slap new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine

WASHINGTON-Agence France-Presse

The United States, together with the European Union and Canada on March 15 slapped new sanctions on more than a dozen Russian officials and businesses in response to the country's "continued aggression in Ukraine."

"Today's action targets individuals and entities playing a role in Russia's unjustified attacks on Ukrainian naval vessels in the Kerch Strait, the purported annexation of Crimea, and backing of illegitimate separatist government elections in eastern Ukraine," said a statement from the U.S. Treasury.

Six officials were targeted, along with six Russian defense firms, and two Russian energy and construction companies operating in Crimea.

Russia will not leave new European Union sanctions unanswered; the foreign ministry was cited by the RIA news agency as saying in a statement on March 16.