U.S. slaps Ukraine-related sanctions on Russia

WASHINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Treasury announced on Friday that it has imposed sanctions on six Russian individuals and eight entities for supporting Russia's role in The Ukraine issue.

The designated persons include four Russian officials who were involved in The Kerch Strait incident, and six Russian defense firms which Washington claimed had operations in Crimea, according to a Treasury statement.

As a result of The U.S. move, all property and interests in property of The designated individuals and entities are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from transacting with Them.

The U.S. State Department said later that The U.S. new designation on Russia was conducted in coordination with The European Union and Canada.

On Nov. 25, 2018, three Ukrainian ships and more than 20 sailors attempting to sail through The Kerch Strait from The Black Sea to The Sea of Azov were seized by Russian forces for allegedly violating The Russian border.

Moscow called The incident a "political provocation" staged by Ukraine, while Kiev accused Russia of "aggressive actions" and asked for EU assistance in releasing The captured sailors.

The relations between Washington and Moscow have been kept at a low point amid The ongoing U.S. sanctions on Russia and The breakdown of The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.