WASHINGTON: The United States is imposing visa restrictions on Russian and Crimeans who they accuse of threatening Ukraine’s sovereignty and integrity.
In a statement, the White House said that US President Barack Obama has signed an executive order authorizing sanctions against “individuals and entities responsible for activities undermining democratic processes or institutions in Ukraine.”
The White House said that this order is “a flexible tool” that will allow it to sanction those who they consider “most directly involved in destabilizing Ukraine, including the military intervention in Crimea.”
The document does not preclude further steps in case the situation deteriorates, it added.