Ukraine approves sanctions on Russians for separatists recognition

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainians wave Ukrainian and European Union flags, and hold banners as they protest outside the Russian embassy after Moscow's decision to formally recognise two Russian-backed regions of eastern Ukraine as independent, in central Kyiv, Ukraine, February 22, 2022. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's parliament approved sanctions on Wednesday against 351 Russians, including lawmakers who supported recognising the independence of two separatist-controlled territories in eastern Ukraine and the deployment of Russian troops there.

The sanctions impose restrictions including barring those sanctioned from entering Ukraine, and preventing their access to assets, capital, property and business licenses. Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council was due to impose the sanctions after the vote.