DHAKA: The US is imposing visa restrictions on Russians and Crimeans who it says are threatening Ukraine.

In addition, the White House said Thursday that president Barack Obama has signed an executive order authorizing sanctions on groups and individuals ‘responsible for activities undermining democratic processes or institutions in Ukraine’, reports Voice of America.

The announcement said Obama’s order is aimed at officials who have misappropriated Ukraine’s state assets or purport to assert governmental power without authorization from the new Ukrainian government in Kyiv.

The US action comes on top of the European Union move Wednesday to freeze the assets in Europe held by 18 Ukrainian officials.

BDST: 1954 HRS, MAR 06, 2014