Crimea declares independence, tries to join Russia

SIMFEROPOL, Mar 17(Agencies):  Ukraine's Crimean peninsula declared itself an independent nation Monday after its residents voted overwhelmingly to secede and try to join Russia, while US and European Union imposed sanctions on top Russian and  Ukrainian officials for backing the referendum.

Ukraine's political turmoil has become Europe's most severe security crisis in years and tensions are high since Russian troops seized control of Crimea two weeks ago. Large amounts of Russian troops are also massed near the border with Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine, which has sharp political differences with the country's new government in Kiev.

The United States on Monday imposed financial sanctions on seven top Russian government officials and lawmakers to punish Russia's incursion into Crimea.

The list of officials who will see any property, assets and interests blocked in the United States includes Dmitry Rogozin, deputy prime minister, and several senior members of the Duma and advisors to President Vladimir Putin.

While, European Union foreign ministers agreed sanctions Monday against 21 Russian and Ukrainian officials deemed responsible for a contested independence referendum in Crimea, officials said.

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said in a tweet that the 21 would be targeted by travel bans and asset freezes, with "more EU measures in few days".

Meanwhile, Crimea's deputy prime minister says the region has set up a new central bank and is expecting to get $30 million in support from Russia.