(VOVworld) – 28 EU foreign ministers met in Brussels on Monday and enforced travel bans and asset freezes on 21 officials of Russia and President Yanukovych’s administration. 

British Foreign Secretary William Hague, center, listens to French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, right, and Estonia's Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, left, during the EU foreign ministers council at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, March 17, 2014 (AP Photo)

The sanctions took effect after 24 hours. The EU also canceled the EU-Russia summit this summer. EU foreign ministers agreed to sign a political agreement with the Ukraine under the two-way accord scheduled for this Friday, which hinted at the EU’s support for the new administration in Kiev. The EU also supported Ukraine with an 11-billion-euro economic package. Canada applied sanctions against 7 Russian officials and 3 high-leveled Crimean officials who they claim bear responsibility for the crisis in the region.

Japan on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Russia, saying that its annexation of the Crimea has violated the independent status of the autonomous Republic of Ukraine. The sanctions include suspending negotiations with Russia over relaxing visa regulations.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his worries over the occurrence, calling all sides to hold back from violence and conduct peace talks.