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Ukraine crisis: Hague praises EU for action against Russia Ukraine crisis: Hague condemns Russian 'recognition' of Crimea
(about 7 hours later)
William Hague has said the decision to impose travel bans and asset freezes on Russian officials shows the EU's "resolve" over the situation in Crimea. Foreign Secretary William Hague has insisted Crimea is still part of Ukraine after Moscow signed a decree recognising it as a sovereign state.
The foreign secretary said the EU would consider further steps, including reducing the gas it bought from Russia. Mr Hague said Russia was "paving the way" for the annexation of Crimea in violation of international law.
The US has also announced sanctions in response to Sunday's controversial referendum on Crimea's future. The international community says it will not recognise Sunday's referendum on Crimea's future, in which there was a 96% vote in favour of joining Russia.
It returned a 96% vote in favour of the region joining Russia but the EU and US have said they will not accept it. The EU earlier announced travel bans and asset freezes on Russian officials.
The international community has said the referendum was not properly constituted and have accused Russia of flouting international law by, in effect, trying to "annex" Crimea from the rest of Ukraine. The US has also imposed sanctions on key figures close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, as tensions between Moscow and Washington intensified.
Mr Hague said he was pleased that EU members had reached agreement to impose asset freezes and travel bans on 21 individuals following a meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday. 'Latest escalation'
'Important statement' In a statement on Monday evening, Mr Hague reiterated the EU's view that the referendum was neither "legal nor legitimate".
The measures, he said, would target not just pro-Russian officials in Crimea but high-ranking officials in Russia, including parliamentarians and military officials "associated with the decisions Russia has made in the Crimea". "The UK condemns in the strongest terms Russia's flagrant disregard of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said. "For the UK and her allies the Crimea remains part of Ukraine.
"I think it is an important statement of European unity and resolve on this question, coinciding with the measures taken by the US," he said. "We are witnessing a clear attempt to pave the way for the annexation of part of the sovereign territory of an independent European state, through military force and an illegal and illegitimate referendum."
More names could be added to the list, he insisted, and the scope for future sanctions would depend on Russia's actions in the coming weeks and its reaction to the outcome of the referendum. Russia must refrain from further "unilateral and provocative actions", he added, and begin a dialogue with Ukraine on a diplomatic solution.
"Continuing to ignore those calls will bring serious consequences for Russia," he added. "We will urgently consider our response to this latest escalation with our allies and partners, including at the European Council this week."
'Not set in stone'
Earlier, Mr Hague said the decision to impose travel bans and asset freezes on Russian officials showed the EU's "resolve" over the situation and warned of further steps, including reducing the gas it bought from Russia.
In total, 21 individuals are to have their assets across the EU frozen and to be banned from entering any of its member states.
Those affected are not just pro-Russian officials in Crimea but high-ranking officials in Russia, including parliamentarians and military officials. More names could be added to the list, Mr Hague insisted, and the scope for future sanctions would depend on Russia's actions in the coming weeks.
"This is not a list that is set in stone for the future," he said."This is not a list that is set in stone for the future," he said.
"It is possible to add other figures in the future, depending on how Russia reacts to the referendum in Crimea which has been a mockery of any real democracy and how they are reacting to the possibility of discussions and direct negotiations with Ukraine over the coming days." The EU, he added, had also begun discussions about longer-term actions to isolate Russia, including reducing the amount of gas it buys from Moscow, which alone supplies a third of Germany's gas.
The EU had also begun discussions about longer-term actions to isolate Russia, including reducing the amount of gas it buys from Moscow. "These things will be among the biggest costs to Russia if we make no diplomatic progress," he said.
"These things will be among the biggest costs to Russia if we make no diplomatic progress," he added. "The UK condemns in the strongest terms Russia's flagrant disregard of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. For the UK and her allies the Crimea remains part of Ukraine.
The US is targeting 11 individuals, including former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych and two top aides to Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We are witnessing a clear attempt to pave the way for the annexation of part of the sovereign territory of an independent European state, through military force and an illegal and illegitimate referendum.
"The UK calls again on Russia to enter into dialogue with Ukraine and with the international community to resolve this crisis through diplomacy and in accordance with international law, not to exacerbate it further through unilateral and provocative actions.
"Continuing to ignore those calls will bring serious consequences for Russia. We will urgently consider our response to this latest escalation with our allies and partners, including at the European Council this week."