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Ukraine crisis: EU set to intensify Russia sanctions Ukraine crisis: EU set to intensify Russia sanctions
(35 minutes later)
EU diplomats are to meet to agree the names of more Russians to be targeted in a broadening of sanctions over links to separatist actions in Ukraine.EU diplomats are to meet to agree the names of more Russians to be targeted in a broadening of sanctions over links to separatist actions in Ukraine.
The US and other G7 states are also planning further steps against Russia, accusing it of destabilising Ukraine.The US and other G7 states are also planning further steps against Russia, accusing it of destabilising Ukraine.
On Sunday, pro-Russian separatists freed a foreign observer seized in east Ukraine. Seven others are still held. Meanwhile, pro-Russian separatists have reportedly seized the local police HQ in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka.
The team was shown to the media, a move described as "revolting" by Germany - the native country of four of them. On Sunday, separatists freed a foreign observer seized in the region.
The group was operating under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which is continuing efforts to free the others. Seven other observers - who were operating under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) - are still being held.
The captured team was shown to the media, a move described as "revolting" by Germany - the native country of four of them.
In other developments:In other developments:
In eastern Ukraine, gunmen continue to occupy official buildings in a dozen cities, defying the government in Kiev. Kostyantynivka is just the latest city in eastern Ukraine to see gunmen occupy an official building in defiance of the government in Kiev. Pro-Russian separatist are holding buildings in a dozen other cities.
The West has blamed Moscow for orchestrating a secessionist revolt in eastern Ukraine after it annexed Crimea last month. Moscow denies the claim.The West has blamed Moscow for orchestrating a secessionist revolt in eastern Ukraine after it annexed Crimea last month. Moscow denies the claim.
Biting the economyBiting the economy
The US and EU already have assets freezes and travel bans in place targeting a number of Russian individuals and firms accused of playing a part in the annexation of Crimea.The US and EU already have assets freezes and travel bans in place targeting a number of Russian individuals and firms accused of playing a part in the annexation of Crimea.
Ambassadors from the 28 EU member states are meeting in Brussels to begin the process of deciding further potential sanctions against Russia and Russian individuals.Ambassadors from the 28 EU member states are meeting in Brussels to begin the process of deciding further potential sanctions against Russia and Russian individuals.
BBC Europe correspondent Chris Morris says it is expected that the ambassadors will add another 15 people in positions of power to the list of those to whom sanctions apply.BBC Europe correspondent Chris Morris says it is expected that the ambassadors will add another 15 people in positions of power to the list of those to whom sanctions apply.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said discussions were still going on but there was "likely to be an extension of existing sanctions, of the travel bans and asset freezes on individuals".UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said discussions were still going on but there was "likely to be an extension of existing sanctions, of the travel bans and asset freezes on individuals".
"The more names we add to that list the more they do bite in the Russian economy," he told Sky News."The more names we add to that list the more they do bite in the Russian economy," he told Sky News.
"But we are also working on more far-reaching measures of economic, trade and financial sanctions.""But we are also working on more far-reaching measures of economic, trade and financial sanctions."
The White House said it would add names on Monday of people close to President Vladimir Putin and firms they control to a list of Russians hit by sanctions over Ukraine, and also impose new restrictions on high tech exports.The White House said it would add names on Monday of people close to President Vladimir Putin and firms they control to a list of Russians hit by sanctions over Ukraine, and also impose new restrictions on high tech exports.
Our correspondent says the White House wants a show of unity from the US and Europe, but there is little consensus within the EU at the moment for implementing broader economic sanctions against Russia.Our correspondent says the White House wants a show of unity from the US and Europe, but there is little consensus within the EU at the moment for implementing broader economic sanctions against Russia.
DiplomatsDiplomats
Eight foreign observers were led into Sloviansk town hall, in eastern Ukraine, by masked gunmen and shown to the media on Sunday.Eight foreign observers were led into Sloviansk town hall, in eastern Ukraine, by masked gunmen and shown to the media on Sunday.
German monitor Col Axel Schneider, who spoke for the group, stressed they were not Nato officers - contrary to claims made by the separatists - nor armed fighters, but diplomats in uniforms.German monitor Col Axel Schneider, who spoke for the group, stressed they were not Nato officers - contrary to claims made by the separatists - nor armed fighters, but diplomats in uniforms.
Later, one of the group was freed for medical reasons.Later, one of the group was freed for medical reasons.
Germany strongly criticised the group's appearance before the media.Germany strongly criticised the group's appearance before the media.
"The public parading of the OSCE observers and Ukrainian security forces as prisoners is revolting and blatantly hurts the dignity of the victims," said a statement (in German) from Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier."The public parading of the OSCE observers and Ukrainian security forces as prisoners is revolting and blatantly hurts the dignity of the victims," said a statement (in German) from Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
He added that Russia had a duty to "influence" the separatists so that the other members of the mission could be freed as soon as possibleHe added that Russia had a duty to "influence" the separatists so that the other members of the mission could be freed as soon as possible
Earlier, self-declared Sloviansk Mayor Vyacheslav Ponomaryov said there was the possibility of exchanging the monitors for militia members held by the Kiev government.Earlier, self-declared Sloviansk Mayor Vyacheslav Ponomaryov said there was the possibility of exchanging the monitors for militia members held by the Kiev government.
Russia, an OSCE member, has pledged to "take all possible steps" to secure the observers' release.Russia, an OSCE member, has pledged to "take all possible steps" to secure the observers' release.