The EU expanded its Russia sanctions blacklist Friday, targeting three people including the deputy energy minister and three companies involved in diverting gas turbines sold by German firm Siemens to Russian-annexed Crimea. Under the 28-nation European Union's strict policy of not recognising Crimea's March 2014 annexation from Ukraine, the three individuals will be hit with an asset freeze and a travel ban. The measures come despite the fact that the EU just days ago bitterly criticised the United States over fresh sanctions targeting Russia for election meddling, on the grounds that it could harm European energy firms.



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