国际英语新闻:U.S. sanctions 34 individuals, entities over Ukraine crisis

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday imposed sanctions on 34 individuals and entities in an effort to maintain pressure on Russia over its action related to the crisis in Ukraine.

The move targets 14 individuals and entities that the United States believes are linked to those that have engaged in serious and sustained evasion of existing sanctions or are 50 percent or more owned by a designated entity, the Treasury Department said in a statement.

Also blacklisted are six separatists designated for threatening the security or stability of Ukraine, two former Ukrainian government officials for being complicit in the misappropriation of public assets and/or threatening the security or stability of Ukraine, as well as 12 entities for operating in the Crimea region.

"It is critical that Russia takes the steps necessary to comply with its obligations under the Minsk Agreements and to ensure a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine," said John Smith, acting director of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Smith added that Tuesday's move demonstrated "the United States' unwavering resolve to pressure Russia to respect the security and sovereignty of Ukraine."

A number of the individuals and entities designated Tuesday have been previously designated by the European Union (EU), a move the Treasury Department said underscores continued trans-Atlantic unity in responding to Russia's actions in Ukraine.

The new designation came one day after the EU said it prolonged the economic sanctions against Russia until July 31, 2016.