EU Targets 21 Officials in Response to Russia in Crimea

European Union governments sanctioned 21 officials deemed responsible for Crimea’s vote to secede from Ukraine, as EU countries favoring negotiations with Russia defeated calls for tougher initial penalties.

EU foreign ministers imposed asset freezes and visa bans on 10 Russian political figures, three military commanders and eight Crimean politicians. They stopped short of blacklisting three of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intimates who were hit with U.S. sanctions.