KEEPING PRESSURE ON

EU, U.S. Considering More Russia Sanctions Over Sea of Azov Incident: Report

After Russia seized three Ukrainian vessels and detained 24 Ukrainian sailors.

The U.S. and European Union are reportedly close to agreeing on new sanctions against Russia after the country's “aggression” towards Ukraine in the Sea of Azov in November, The Financial Times reports. The measures being considered are reportedly slated to be discussed in an EU foreign ministers meeting next Monday and could be imposed over the “next two months.” One government official told the newspaper the sanctions will be directed at “individuals and companies” who were involved in the incident, in which three Ukrainian naval vessels were seized and 24 Ukrainian sailors were detained. Another diplomat told the Times that “attitudes were hardening” in light of Russia's reluctance to release the sailors. “Everyone in the EU will back new sanctions because Russia is showing no signs of progress on any front,” they said. “There’s nothing positive that even those against sanctions could point to and resist new measures.” Kurt Volker, U.S. special envoy for Ukraine, said last month that both the U.S. and Europe were looking into “additional measures” if the sailors were not released.