EU punishes Kremlin ministers, army chiefs and mouthpieces

The European Union is punishing government officials, military commanders and Kremlin mouthpieces for their role in recognizing and occupying renegade Ukrainian regions. More than three quarters of the members of the Russian House of Representatives are also subject to sanctions. Russia can no longer borrow in the EU and three banks are also punished.

The EU already announced punitive measures on Tuesday against “those involved in the illegal and aggressive” Russian crackdown on Ukraine. Russia has recognized the rebel republics of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent and is deploying troops there. European sanctions appear to be slightly more extensive than those imposed by allies such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.