Ukraine urges more sanctions on Russia to ‘hit hard, hit now’

KYIV (Reuters) — Ukraine on Wednesday urged the West to impose more sanctions on Russia that target the economy and the inner circle around President Vladimir Putin.

Western nations on Tuesday punished Russia with new sanctions for ordering troops into eastern Ukraine and threatened to go further if Moscow launched an all-out invasion of its neighbour.

“First decisive steps were taken yesterday, and we are grateful for them,” Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet. “Now the pressure needs to step up to stop Putin. Hit his economy and cronies. Hit more. Hit hard. Hit now.”