The Treasury Department announced it had placed the names of 26 individuals and entities on blacklists that freeze any assets they may have in U.S. jurisdictions. The blacklists also bar Americans from doing business with them.
Officials said the step is intended to maintain the effectiveness of existing sanctions, not to expand the penalties in response to any escalation in the Ukraine crisis.
"Today's action underscores our resolve to maintain pressure on Russia for violating international law and fueling the conflict in eastern Ukraine," said John E. Smith, the director of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. "Our message is clear: we will continue to act to ensure the effectiveness of our sanctions." .... http://abcnews.go.com
