The US on Friday imposed tough economic sanctions on Russia, including measures against its largest bank, several State-owned defence technology and energy companies, for allegedly supporting separatists in Ukraine.
The tough economic sanctions comes a day after US President Barack Obama made an announcement in this regard. The US actions followed similar sanctions imposed by European Union to put pressure on the Russian economy over the country’s alleged interference in Ukraine.
The American action targets Sberbank of Russia - the largest Russian bank - deepens existing sanctions on Russian financial institutions, expands sanctions in Russia’s energy sector and targets additional energy- and defense-related Russian entities.
Ukraine, rebels trade 67 prisoners
In the dead of night, Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed rebel forces on Friday exchanged 67 prisoners who had been captured during fighting in eastern Ukraine, part of a cease-fire deal that has struggled to succeed.
The transfer, including Russian citizens who served as insurgents, took place outside the main rebel stronghold of Donetsk under the watch of international observers. Thirty-six Ukrainian servicemen were released after negotiations, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said. Ukrainian forces handed over 31 pro-Russian rebels.