More Russians Targeted in New U.S. Sanctions List

U.S. President Barack Obama ordered an expansion to the sanctions against Russia on March 20 after Moscow accepted the Duma-approved annexation of Crimea as part of Russia. The expanded list is different in tone than the previous list; it names individuals personally tied to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Thus, on the surface, the new sanctions appear more serious. However, the list still will not have any practical impact on Russia or on the people targeted. The Russians are retaliating with their own symbolic list while the Europeans remain divided on what to do next.