MOSCOW, July 27 (AFP): Russia has remained stoic about the threat of tighter Western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis, but analysts are concerned that the uncertainty they generate could alone choke off growth.
The downing of a Malaysian passenger airliner over eastern Ukraine on July 17, which was carrying mostly Dutch passengers, has hardened Western resolve to impose tighter sanctions against Russia.
Western leaders have accused the Kremlin of supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine, a charge Moscow denies, including supplying the missiles believed to have brought down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 with the loss of all 298 on board.
The purpose of the sanctions is to force Moscow to use its influence with pro-Russian separatists to end fighting in eastern Ukraine.
The EU may as soon as this week restrict the ability of top Russian banks to raise funds in Europe, and ban new sales of weapons and much-needed technology for the energy sector.
The EU's steps follow moves by the United States, which has barred two major Russian financial institutions, Gazprombank and VEB, and two giant Russian energy firms, OA Novatek and Rosneft from US capital markets.
Russia stoic on sanctions threat, analysts worried
FE Team | Published: July 28, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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