Ukrainian government expands anti-Russian sanctions — PM

The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers is referring a second, expanded package of sanctions against Russia to the National Security and Defense Council, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told a government session on Wednesday.

“Expanded sanctions against Russia, imposed by the US, came into effect yesterday, and that is why the Cabinet of Ministers makes a decision today on a second expanded package of sanctions, sending it to the National Security and Defense Council for consideration,” he said.

On August 3, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavel Klimkin said Ukraine had prepared a package of economic sanctions against Russia over Crimea. “The package of sanctions is ready, I signed it and I personally referred it to the Cabinet of Ministers. I hope very much that it will be approved shortly,” the foreign minister said.

Earlier, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council passed a decision to follow the lead of Western countries and impose sanctions on Russia. “To enhance pressure on Russia, the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council passed a decision on the compulsory use of anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the European Union, Swiss Confederation, the United States and the Group of Seven countries and initiated their toughening,” the Council said.

In December 2014, the European Union and the United States imposed new economic sanctions against Crimea applicable to the areas of investment, tourism, transport, telecommunications, energy, prospecting and production of oil, gas and mineral resources.