EU Ukraine Sanctions to Target up to 30 Political Figures
European Union sanctions over Russia's intervention in Ukraine will likely target up to 30 politically significant figures, EU diplomatic sources said Friday.
The list being discussed counts "between 25 and 30 names", one source said, adding that members of the Russian government would not be included.
"It would be difficult to impose sanctions at the same time as trying to negotiate a solution with people who have been targeted," said the source, who asked not to be identified.
"There will likely be members of parliament, members of the security forces ... and a senior defense ministry official but not the minister himself," the source said.
There will also be seven Ukrainians, likely pro-Russian political figures in Crimea, the source said.
No "business entities" will be included, the source added.
The United States and EU are expected to announce a series of sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, on Monday just after a Crimean referendum likely to approve plans to quit Ukraine in favor of Russia.
Both Washington and Brussels have imposed initial sanctions but have warned they will take much more serious steps, up to full economic measures, unless Moscow reverses course.
With EU foreign ministers meeting Monday, "my expectation is that it would be a small but politically significant list to send a clear message" to Moscow, said another EU diplomatic source.
"I have not seen sanctions regimes start in the 100s (it is more usually) ... 10s or scores of people," the source said, adding it was not the number but the names that mattered.
The EU must keep Russian actions in focus, the source said.
"Russia will need to think very carefully about whether it can sustain" its current policy in Ukraine and Crimea, the source said, adding: "We are confident Russia is concerned" about the prospect of sanctions.
The sources said talks in London Friday between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov would be crucial in determining the outcome.
The result of the Crimea referendum on Sunday is very important but Kerry has already suggested that what action Russia actually takes in the event of a 'Yes' vote is what really counts.
It is clear that if Russia were to annex the Crimea region, home to a large Russian-speaking population and its Black Sea fleet, tough sanctions would follow.
Reports earlier said at least 13 Russian political and business leaders, including the defense minister, secret service chief and the heads of Gazprom and Rosneft, could be hit by visa bans.
Source: Agence France Presse
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