Ukraine: International Observers Arrested, More Sanctions Approved
The leaders of the world's largest economies are poised to punish Russia over its role in Ukraine's crisis with a new round of sanctions the Group of Seven approved Friday. The same day, a team of European monitors was arrested in eastern Ukraine by pro-Russian separatists.
The G7 leaders say the sanctions are a response to Moscow's lack of action on pledges made during recent talks in Geneva that were meant to calm the tense situation in Ukraine.
From Brussels, Teri Schultz reports for NPR's Newscast unit:
"New measures could be enacted as early as Monday, expected to take aim at individuals and companies critical to the Russian economy.
"In a statement, the G7 says leaders 'have committed to act urgently to intensify targeted sanctions and measures to increase the costs of Russia's actions' in Ukraine. It underscores the necessity of stabilizing the situation in order to hold 'successful and peaceful' democratic elections scheduled for next month in Ukraine.
"In eastern Ukraine, a team of military observers from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Poland and Sweden is still being held after its bus was seized by armed pro-Russian militants at a checkpoint in Slovyansk Friday night."