(VOVworld) - The EU has added 13 Russian and Ukrainian officials and 2 Crimean energy firms as targets to the sanctions with asset freezes and visa bans. The latest list included Russian President’s Deputy Chief of Staff Vyacheslav Volodin, the commander of Russian airborne troops Vladimir Shamanov, and provincial leaders in eastern Ukraine.

EU's latest sanction list included Russian President’s Deputy Chief of Staff Vyacheslav Volodin

The decision was released during the EU foreign ministerial meeting in Brussels on Monday. EU Foreign Ministers said that they would pay particular attention to all parties' attitudes and stance towards the Ukrainian presidential elections, and might impose new economic sanctions if Russia obstructs the election.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the EU’s decision impacted the mutual trust of both sides and caused suspicion towards EU’s support for measures seeking to resolve Ukraine’s ongoing situation. He also urged the EU to respect the public referendum of two eastern Ukrainian provinces and support dialogue between Kiev’s administration and eastern Ukrainian provinces.

Also on Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that Canada would impose economic sanction and ban entry to 12 Russian and Ukrainian officials who were involved in the tensions in Ukraine.