Spurred to action by the downing of the Malaysian airliner, the European Union approved dramatically tougher economic sanctions Tuesday against Russia, followed swiftly by a new round of U.S. penalties targeting key sectors of the Russian economy.

The co-ordinated sanctions were aimed at increasing pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his country’s support for separatists in eastern Ukraine whom the West blames for taking down the passenger jet nearly two weeks ago. President Barack Obama and U.S. allies also warned that Russia was building up troops and weaponry along its border with Ukraine...

In Canada, the federal government said it will impose new sanctions against Russia in coming days in co-ordination with its partners in the United States and Europe. In a statement Tuesday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Mr. Putin’s failure to cease backing armed rebels in eastern Ukraine constitutes a genuine threat to international peace and security.

The statement says the new sanctions would be applied against the Russian government and those closest to it. Last week, Canada announced strengthened sanctions on arms manufacturers and energy and financial entities with significant links to the Russian government...

This has been excerpted from the 29 July 2014 article by the Globe and Mail and is available in its entirety at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/eu-hashing-out-economic-sanctions-for-russia-to-press-putin-on-ukraine/article19818709/ (subscription may be required).