WASHINGTON, March 17. /ITAR-TASS/. The US will introduce additional sanctions against Russia, if it continues interfering with Ukraine’s affairs. US President Barak Obama stated this on Monday, delivering a speech in the White House.

He added that the conflict in Ukraine might be solved through diplomatic means.

“I believe there's still a path to resolve this situation diplomatically,” Obama said.

 

Sanctions list published

The USA has published the list of people subject to sanctions, which includes several Russian and Ukrainian officials.

As the White House reported March 17, the list includes presidential aide Vladislav Surkov, presidential adviser Sergei Glazyev, Head of State Duma Committee for CIS Affairs Leonid Slutsky, Head of Federation Council's Committee for constitutional legislation Andrei Klishas, Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, Chair of the Duma committee for family, women and children affairs Yelena Mizulina, Crimean Prime Minister Sergey Aksyonov, Crimean State Council Speaker Vladimir Konstantinov, leader of the Ukrainian Choice public movement Viktor Medvedchuk and Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych.

Their assets in the US will be frozen, and Americans will be banned from getting into business contacts with the officials on the list.

Apart from that, a new executive order of the US president has been adopted. This order forms the basis of sanctions against the aforementioned persons. In addition, the document allows introducing punitive measures against persons and organizations serving the interests of Russia’s military industry, as well as providing material support to people included in the black list.

 

EU introduces sanctions as well

Earlier on Monday, the EU announced the introduction of sanctions against 21 officials from Russia and Ukraine. The case in hand is visa restrictions and assets freezing.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius also said additional measures of pressure against Russia could be considered at the EU summit on March 20-21, adding they could involve an expansion of the “black list” and a possible embargo on supplies of weapons to Russia.