The EU and the US has imposed sanctions on more than two dozen Russian and Ukrainian officials and readied more severe moves in the event of Moscow continuing to escalate the crisis in Ukraine after Sunday’s vote by Crimea to secede.
Washington targeted seven top Russian policy makers, including some of President Vladimir Putin’s closest advisers, with asset freezes and travel bans, under an executive order signed by President Barack Obama. The EU took measures against 21 people, including 13 Russians.
But shortly before the sanctions were announced, Mr Putin signalled he might be prepared to negotiate a diplomatic deal over Ukraine, possibly using Crimea as a bargaining chip.