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EU considers travel ban on Russian defence minister

04 September 2014, 19:25 CET
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(BRUSSELS) - The European Union may impose a travel ban on Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as part of a new package of sanctions targeting Moscow over the crisis in Ukraine, sources said Thursday.

The 28-nation bloc is set to decide by Friday on fresh economic and other measures against Russia over allegations that it has sent troops and weapons to support Ukrainian rebels.

"The minister's name was discussed" by ambassadors in Brussels who are considering the sanctions, the European source told AFP, referring to Shoigu. A second diplomatic source also confirmed that the Russian defence minister was being considered.

In total, the EU is looking at imposing travel bans and asset freezes on another 20 people close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, several sources said.

Western powers have accused Russia of sending troops to back a counter-offensive by pro-Kremlin rebels in the latest stage of a five-month conflict that has claimed nearly 2,600 lives. Moscow denies the charge.

The United States is also preparing fresh sanctions against Russia in coordination with Brussels, a White House official said at the NATO summit in Wales on Thursday.

European leaders ordered officials at a summit on Saturday to draw up new sanctions within one week, and incoming EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini said they would decide on the measures on Friday.

They are expected to reinforce existing sanctions targeting Russia's financial services, the sale of arms and "dual-use" goods that can have both military and civilian roles, and oil industry technology.

British government sources said Thursday that the proposals would extend this to more state-owned defence and energy companies, although not Russia's sensitive gas industry, on which Europe depends for much of its energy.

"We are looking towards seeking to adopt a package of sanctions tomorrow," a British source said.

There was "agreement in principle" on the package during the EU ambassadors' talks on Thursday, but some issues such as dual-use goods still needed to be discussed in detail, an EU diplomat said.

They will hold further talks on Friday afternoon at which they will try to reach a final agreement, the diplomat added.


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