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EU set to widen sanctions on Russia over Ukraine EU set to widen sanctions on Russia over Ukraine
(about 1 hour later)
The European Union is set to agree new sanctions against Russia, targeting its finance, energy and defence sectors over the conflict in Ukraine.The European Union is set to agree new sanctions against Russia, targeting its finance, energy and defence sectors over the conflict in Ukraine.
Top Russian individuals and bodies are already the subject of EU sanctions for their alleged role in Ukraine's crisis.Top Russian individuals and bodies are already the subject of EU sanctions for their alleged role in Ukraine's crisis.
Calls for the EU to act have been fuelled by the downing of Flight MH17. Calls for the EU to act have been fuelled by the downing of flight MH17.
An international team has still failed to access the crash site in eastern Ukraine, amid heavy fighting between government forces and rebels there.An international team has still failed to access the crash site in eastern Ukraine, amid heavy fighting between government forces and rebels there.
The team, which includes Dutch and Australian police officers, is expected to make its third consecutive attempt to reach the site on Tuesday. The team, which includes Dutch and Australian police officers, has twice turned back from attempts to reach the site in the past two days.
Many of the 298 people travelling aboard Flight MH17 - a Malaysian Airlines passenger jet - were of Dutch or Australian nationality. A third mission to the site, on Tuesday, has also failed to proceed because of the fighting, the AFP news agency reports.
Many of the 298 people travelling aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 were of Dutch or Australian nationality.
Ukraine's army said on Monday that it had managed to capture two towns near the wreckage of the plane in its bid to win back territory from the hands of the rebels.
Skirmishes continued overnight around the town of Shakhtarsk, with the Ukrainian military attempting to encircle pro-Russian fighters in the area.
Analysis by the BBC's Gavin HewittAnalysis by the BBC's Gavin Hewitt
Europe's leaders did not want to move to economic sanctions but they were moved by two considerations: the outrage at the way investigators have been blocked from access to the crash site of the downed plane and, secondly, the fact that Russia, since the incident, has been allowing heavy weapons across the border into Ukraine.Europe's leaders did not want to move to economic sanctions but they were moved by two considerations: the outrage at the way investigators have been blocked from access to the crash site of the downed plane and, secondly, the fact that Russia, since the incident, has been allowing heavy weapons across the border into Ukraine.
The calculation in Europe is that it had to act for its own credibility and that it may have to go further to ensure that President Vladimir Putin and his inner circle understand that their actions carry consequences.The calculation in Europe is that it had to act for its own credibility and that it may have to go further to ensure that President Vladimir Putin and his inner circle understand that their actions carry consequences.
How will Russia respond? Hard to say, although Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia would not retaliate or "fall into hysterics".How will Russia respond? Hard to say, although Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia would not retaliate or "fall into hysterics".
But - if all goes as expected - the EU will today take a significant step; that it has to risk some damage to its own economic interests in order to put pressure on President Putin and Russia.But - if all goes as expected - the EU will today take a significant step; that it has to risk some damage to its own economic interests in order to put pressure on President Putin and Russia.
Ukraine's army said on Monday it had managed to capture two towns near the wreckage in its bid to win back territory from the hands of the rebels. Ukraine conflict: EU squeezes Russia
Skirmishes continued overnight around the town of Shakhtarsk, with the Ukrainian military attempting to encircle pro-Russians fighters in the area.
'Further costs''Further costs'
EU ambassadors are expected to agree fresh sanctions against Russia at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday. EU ambassadors in Brussels have begun a meeting that is expected to lead to fresh sanctions against Russia. The meeting ends on Tuesday afternoon.
The measures are expected to include restrictions on Russian banks accessing European markets, an arms embargo and curbs on dealings with the energy sector. The fresh measures are expected to include restrictions on Russian banks accessing European markets, an arms embargo and curbs on dealings with the energy sector.
On Monday, a spokeswoman for UK Prime Minister David Cameron said that he and fellow European leaders had agreed to "impose further costs on Russia" for arming the rebels in Ukraine. The leaders of France, Germany, Britain and the US have already discussed the sanctions in a conference call on Monday.
Western nations have also said there is growing evidence that Flight MH17 was hit by a Russian-supplied missile fired by the rebels. A spokeswoman for UK Prime Minister David Cameron later said that he and fellow European leaders had agreed to "impose further costs on Russia" for supporting the rebels in Ukraine.
Russia has denied supplying heavy weapons to the rebels. Russia and the rebels blame Ukrainian government forces for the attack on the airliner. A German government spokeswoman, quoted by Associated Press, said her country was pressing for a "substantial, sector-specific package of measures" against Russia.
Any new EU sanctions could come into force within 24 hours of a deal being reached between the EU's 28 member states. Western nations have accused Russia of equipping the uprising in Ukraine with heavy weapons - including the missile that brought down flight MH17.
However, UK company British Petroleum, which owns nearly 20% of Russian state oil giant Rosneft, has warned that further sanctions against Russian could "adversely impact" its performance. The warning came in its latest profits report. Russia has denied the charge. Russia and the rebels blame Ukrainian government forces for the attack on the airliner.
Last weekend, the EU added 15 individuals and 18 entities to its sanctions list targeting Russians linked to the separatist uprising in eastern Ukraine. Any new EU sanctions could come into force within 24 hours of a deal being reached between the bloc's 28 member states.
They included the Federal Security Service (FSB) and foreign intelligence heads, and the president of Chechnya. Sanctions warning
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. Last weekend, the EU subjected a further 15 Russian individuals and 18 entities to asset freezes and visa bans for their alleged involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
On Monday, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said the downing of MH17 could constitute a war crime. She demanded a "thorough, effective, independent and impartial investigation" into the "shooting down" of the jet. The list of 87 targets of EU sanctions now includes the heads of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and foreign intelligence, the president of Chechnya, as well as two Crimean energy firms.
Ms Pillay spoke as the latest UN report on Ukraine said at least 1,129 people had been killed and 3,442 wounded in the Ukraine conflict since mid-April. However, UK company British Petroleum, which owns nearly 20% of Russian state oil giant Rosneft, has warned that further sanctions against Russia could "adversely impact" its performance. The warning came in its latest profits report.
The conflict has displaced more than 200,000 people, many of whom have fled east to neighbouring Russia. The latest UN report on Ukraine says at least 1,129 people have been killed and 3,442 wounded in the conflict since mid-April.
The fighting has displaced more than 200,000 people, many of whom have fled east to neighbouring Russia.