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US Imposes Visa Ban Amid Ukraine Crisis

by Luis Ramirez March 06, 2014

The Obama administration says Russians and Ukrainians who are impeding the democratic process in Ukraine will have their U.S. visas cancelled or denied and also face financial sanctions.

The White House announced the new penalties early Thursday. Senior officials told reporters the restrictions were in response to Russia's interference in the Crimea region of Ukraine.

The officials did not identify the individuals who would have their visas to visit the United States cancelled or denied, but said the list included both Russians and Ukrainians who have been most directly involved in destabilizing Ukraine.

'And today the United States has marshaled a full package of measures aimed at demonstrating the force of U.S. resolve in the face of unprovoked military intervention and threats,' Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Eric Rubin told the House Foreign Affairs Committee. 'Pursuant to the President's guidance, the State Department is putting in place visa restrictions on a number of officials and individuals.'

Some U.S. lawmakers praised the move.

"Denying and revoking visas of Russian regime members who are connected to belligerent actions in Ukraine and freezing and prohibiting any of their U.S. property transactions are moves in the right direction, but now we must name and shame these persons," Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said, adding that penalties should be stepped up.

The United States has protested what it says is Russia's deployment of troops in the Crimean peninsula - an act Washington considers to be in direct violation of Ukraine's sovereignty.

U.S. officials say they have not yet imposed new financial sanctions, but the administration's actions Thursday opened the way for the penalties once the U.S. government determines who will be targeted.

The Obama administration has been working to de-escalate the crisis. Officials said the penalties could be removed if Moscow returns its troops to Russian bases in Ukraine and recognizes Ukraine's new government. At the same time, Washington warns it will step up sanctions if Russia should decide to move forces farther into eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile in Rome, Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, but there has been no agreement on ending the crisis.