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Ukraine crisis: EU set to intensify Russia sanctions Ukraine crisis: US and EU to intensify Russia sanctions
(about 1 hour 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. The US and EU are preparing to impose fresh sanctions against Russian individuals and companies.
The US and other G7 states are also planning further steps against Russia, accusing it of destabilising Ukraine. The move comes amid continuing action by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, pro-Russian separatists have seized a local government building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka, officials say. Western nations accuse Moscow of supporting separatist gunmen who are occupying official buildings in cities across eastern Ukraine.
On Sunday, separatists freed a foreign observer seized in the region. The separatists continue to hold seven Western military observers who were seized last week in the region.
Seven other Western observers - who were operating under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) - are still being held. Meanwhile, officials say the mayor of the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, Gennady Kernes, is in a serious condition after being shot in the back.
The captured team was shown to the media, a move described as "revolting" by Germany - the native country of four of them. Monday also saw Ukrainian government officials report that pro-Russian separatists had seized a local government building in Kostyantynivka, the latest move in a campaign of defiance against the government in Kiev that has encompassed a dozen other cities in eastern Ukraine.
In other developments: 'Not personal'
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 separatists are holding buildings in a dozen other cities. US President Barack Obama confirmed the stepping up of sanctions, which he said was part of a "calibrated effort" to change Russia's behaviour in Ukraine, during a visit to the Philippines.
The West has blamed Moscow for orchestrating a secessionist revolt in eastern Ukraine after it annexed Crimea last month. Moscow denies the claim. He said the measures were in response to Moscow's failure to uphold an international accord aimed at peacefully resolving the Ukraine crisis.
Biting the economy Mr Obama said the sanctions - which will be announced in detail later in Washington - would target individuals and companies, as well as some high-tech exports to Russia. But he acknowledged it was uncertain whether they would have any effect.
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. He said they were not aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin personally.
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. "The goal is to change his calculus with respect to how the current actions that he's engaging in could have an adverse impact on the Russian economy over the long haul," he said.
Meanwhile, ambassadors from the 28 EU member states are meeting in Brussels to agree new sanctions against Russia.
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 last month.
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.
Speaking during a visit to the Philippines, President Barack Obama confirmed that the US would be imposing fresh sanctions on Russian individuals and companies.
He said the new measures were a "calibrated effort" to change Russia's behaviour in Ukraine.
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.
Diplomats 'Revolting'
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 - who were operating under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) - were led into Sloviansk town hall 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 uniform.
Later, one of the group was freed for medical reasons. Later, one of the group - a Swede - 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 possible 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 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.
The fate of five Ukrainian military officers accompanying the mission is unknown.
Are you in Ukraine? How has the unrest affected you? You can email us your experiences at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Ukraine'.