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UK says EU agreement on Russia sanctions 'closer' UK says EU agreement on Russia sanctions 'closer'
(about 3 hours later)
EU talks on tougher sanctions against Russia over Ukraine are "moving in the right direction", No 10 has said.EU talks on tougher sanctions against Russia over Ukraine are "moving in the right direction", No 10 has said.
PM David Cameron's spokeswoman said the EU was looking at sanctions in the financial, defence and energy sector. A Downing Street spokeswoman said the EU was looking at sanctions in the financial, defence and energy sectors.
She added that there may be "some pain to be had here in the UK" if sanctions were imposed in the financial sector. A decision is expected to be reached at a meeting of officials from all 28 EU nations in Brussels on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the prime minister is set to meet the British families of those killed in the crash of the Malaysian Airlines jet in eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, David Cameron is set to meet the British families of those killed in the crash of the Malaysian Airlines jet in eastern Ukraine earlier this month.
That crash, in rebel-held eastern Ukraine earlier this month, believed to have been caused by a rebel missile strike - has fuelled calls for tougher EU action. That crash, believed to have been caused by a rebel missile strike - has fuelled calls for tougher EU action.
Russia has denied allegations by Ukraine and Western leaders that it has supplied heavy weapons to the rebels. And the rebels denied shooting down the plane, instead blaming Ukrainian forces.Russia has denied allegations by Ukraine and Western leaders that it has supplied heavy weapons to the rebels. And the rebels denied shooting down the plane, instead blaming Ukrainian forces.
EU ambassadors are meeting in Brussels on Tuesday. Any new sanctions could come into force within 24 hours of a deal being reached. Any new EU sanctions could come into force within 24 hours of a deal being reached.
EU targets Conference call
Ahead of that meeting Mr Cameron and his French, German and Italian counterparts held a conference call with US president Barack Obama, the White House said on Monday.Ahead of that meeting Mr Cameron and his French, German and Italian counterparts held a conference call with US president Barack Obama, the White House said on Monday.
The BBC News Channel's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said the leaders discussed measures which would restrict the access of Russian banks to finance from the City of London and also a ban on future defence and high-tech energy exports from the EU to Russia.
Sources, he suggested, said the backing of the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was seen as significant in securing the backing of those EU countries more sceptical about sanctions.
A No 10 spokeswoman said that there may be "some pain to be had here in the UK" if sanctions were imposed in the financial sector.
At the weekend, the EU added 15 individuals and 18 entities to its sanctions list targeting Russians linked to the separatist uprising in eastern Ukraine.At the weekend, the EU added 15 individuals and 18 entities to its sanctions list targeting Russians linked to the separatist uprising in eastern Ukraine.
They included the Federal Security Service (FSB) and foreign intelligence heads, and the president of Chechnya.They included the Federal Security Service (FSB) and foreign intelligence heads, and the president of Chechnya.
Military exercises
The number of Russians subject to EU asset freezes and travel bans is now 87. Two Crimean energy firms were joined on the list by 18 other entities.The number of Russians subject to EU asset freezes and travel bans is now 87. Two Crimean energy firms were joined on the list by 18 other entities.
Western leaders accuse Russia of arming the pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine.Western leaders accuse Russia of arming the pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine.
The EU says it is targeting those who "actively support or are benefiting from Russian decision makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea or the destabilisation of eastern Ukraine".The EU says it is targeting those who "actively support or are benefiting from Russian decision makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea or the destabilisation of eastern Ukraine".
Meanwhile the UK is sending a "full battle group" of 1,350 personnel to take part in a Nato exercise in Poland in October.Meanwhile the UK is sending a "full battle group" of 1,350 personnel to take part in a Nato exercise in Poland in October.
It is Britain's biggest deployment to the region since 2008 and is seen as part of a series of events supporting allies in Eastern Europe and the Baltic States.It is Britain's biggest deployment to the region since 2008 and is seen as part of a series of events supporting allies in Eastern Europe and the Baltic States.