EU plans ban on Ukraine separatists, not on Russia

Reuters, Brussels :European Union governments may agree to impose personal sanctions on more Russian-backed rebels on Monday in response to a separatist vote in eastern Ukraine, but are unlikely to discuss new steps against Russia itself until mid-December, officials said.EU foreign ministers discussed how to respond to the Nov. 2 separatist election, which they say has no legal basis, as well as ways to launch reforms in Ukraine and engage Russia in finding a solution to the conflict.”We will discuss what will be the best option today to react to the so-called elections on November 2, which we all said were illegal and illegitimate and might require some reaction from the European Union’s side,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini toldreporters on arrival for the talks.Ministers are expected to agree to add more Russian-backed separatists to a list of people banned from entering the European Union and those whose EU assets are frozen.But ministers remain divided on the need for tougher economic sanctions on Russia, despite NATO’s assertions – denied by Moscow – that Russia has sent tanks and troops to eastern Ukraine in recent days.