(VOVworld) - The US has extended the list of sanctioned Russian and Ukrainian individuals and institutions over the crisis in Ukraine.

The US extends economic sanctions over Russia (Photo: Reuters)

The US Treasury Department on Thursday added the names of 26 people and entities that will be subjected to economic sanctions. The blacklists freeze the assets these individuals or entities may have in US jurisdiction and also prohibits Americans from doing business with them. Some of the new actions are aimed at individuals or entities that US officials claim have been helping previously identified targets to evade sanctions. Four officials, who served in the government of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, as well as five operators of Crimean ports and one sea ferry operator, were also added to the list. The West has expressed its readiness to maintain the sanctions against Russia until the fighting in eastern Ukraine is halted and the provisions of the Minsk ceasefire agreement are fulfilled.