Europe braces for Kremlin reprisals over Ukraine conflict

EU officials prepare for sanctions against Moscow if it goes ahead with referendum on Crimea, but fears Russian retaliation may lead to trade war and destabilisation in the Balkans.

Europe is bracing itself for painful reprisals from the Kremlin as both sides become locked in an increasingly intransigent conflict over Ukraine and Crimea that many expect to escalate into a ruinous trade war, and further destabilisation in the Balkans.

Over the weekend, EU officials and diplomats are to negotiate a blacklist of senior Russian figures to be subjected to visa bans and assets freezes if Moscow, as expected, goes ahead with a secessionist referendum aimed at annexing Ukraine's Black Sea peninsula on Sunday.

The Russians are certain to retaliate against any punitive action, EU officials say, while tightening their grip on part of Ukraine and ignoring western demands to stand down their forces.

"They are not de-escalating, they are consolidating," said a senior European diplomat.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/14/europe-prepares-sanctions-against-russia-over-ukraine