The White House announced on Thursday that it would impose visa restrictions on persons who threaten Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and would prepare new financial sanctions amid continuing unrest in Crimea.
The U.S. State Department will "deny visas to those responsible for or complicit in threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney in a statement. The visa restrictions are additional measures following a previous set that targeted human rights offenders in Ukraine.
The White House did not specify which individuals would be targeted by this new round of restrictions.
According to Carney, U.S. President Barack Obama also signed an Executive Order that authorizes sanctions on persons and entities "responsible for activities undermining democratic processes or institutions in Ukraine". They will also target those who misuse state funds, or who are "purporting to assert governmental authority over any part of Ukraine without authorization from the Ukrainian government in Kiev."
Obama's order establishes a legal pretext for the U.S. Treasury to impose financial sanctions. Carney said further actions could be taken should the situation worsen.
"This E.O. is a flexible tool that will allow us to sanction those who are most directly involved in destabilizing Ukraine, including the military intervention in Crimea, and does not preclude further steps should the situation deteriorate," he said.
The announcement follows the Crimean parliament’s unanimous vote to join Russia, and its call for a referendum on March 16.
The U.S. Congress will hold a hearing Thursday to discuss potential condemnation of the Russian Federation for its violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
(Anadolu Agency)
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