EU, UK sanctions daughters of top Kremlin leaders

The EU and the UK announced sanctions against the daughters of the Kremlin's top leaders over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. 

Both the European Union and Britain have sanctioned the daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin - Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova - while the UK has also sanctioned  Yekaterina Vinokurova, the daughter of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

BREAKING — The EU imposed sanctions on two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of a new package of measures targeting Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, according to two EU officials. — AP

— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) April 8, 2022

The EU included Putin's daughters in its updated list of individuals facing an assets freeze and travel ban, while the UK's Foreign Office said it was targeting the "lavish lifestyles of the Kremlin's inner circle." 

The new sanctions follow similar actions by the United States in targeting the three women.

In the wake of evidence of torture and killings emerging from war zones outside Kyiv, the EU decided to impose a fifth package of measures in retaliation for Russia’s war.

In addition to sanctions on individuals, the 27-nation bloc also approved an embargo on coal imports. That will be the first EU sanctions targeting Russia’s lucrative energy industry over its war in Ukraine and is estimated to be worth 4 billion euros ($4.4 billion) per year, the EU presidency said. The EU has already started working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports.

"Through the G7, we are working with partners to end the use of Russian energy and further hit Putin's ability to fund his illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine," said UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

"Together, we are tightening the ratchet on Russia's war machine, cutting off Putin's sources of cash," she added.

The UK has sanctioned more than 1,200 individuals and businesses -- including 76 oligarchs -- since Russia's military offensive began in February.