Here are some more details from RFE/RL's news desk on the proposed Russian legislation that would brand some states as "aggressor" countries:
Russian lawmakers have reportedly drafted amendments that would brand states that impose sanctions on Russia as "aggressor countries."
The pro-Kremlin daily "Izvestia" reports that the legislative proposals would pave the way for potential restrictions on specific companies that operate in Russia.
It quoted deputies from the ruling United Russia party as saying the bill would allow the Russian government to restrict auditing and consulting companies registered in "aggressor countries" in their operations in Russia.
The legislation describes as an "aggressor country" a state that has "imposed sanctions on the Russian Federation, Russian citizens, or Russian companies."
The drafted amendments come as the Kremlin is searching for ways to hit back at the European Union and United States which are imminently expected to impose a new round of sanctions against Moscow for allegedly supporting separatists in east Ukraine.
Kolesnikov in Kommersant says Putin will abandon separatists if it's proven they shot down MH17.
— Guy Chazan (@GuyChazan) July 29, 2014
Apartment block Donetsk takes direct hit ..I'm told one boy injured still to confirm @9NewsAUS #MH17 pic.twitter.com/EGa9YPHfyJ
— Damian Ryan (@DamoNews) July 29, 2014
Disgusting disrespect for @TanyaLokshina - a meticulous professional - by obnoxious anchor on Ukraine's @HromadskeTV http://t.co/CcVs6GLgQ8
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) July 29, 2014
Since Girkin/Strelkov took over as 'Commander in Chief', separatists have lost three quarters of their territory and shot down an airliner.
— Alexander Clarkson (@APHClarkson) July 29, 2014
It seems that news of more impending sanctions against Russia is causing waves on financial markets:
Russian bank and company bonds denominated in dollars and euros have slumped in value in the past few days in anticipation of tough European Union sanctions.
The EU has already slapped sanctions such as asset freezes and travel bans on some Russian officials after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region earlier this year and began supporting separatists fighting Kiev's forces in eastern Ukraine.
The United States has also issued six rounds of sanctions, with its toughest imposed on July 16.
But the downing on July 17 of a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board, has led European leaders to beef up their own measures.
Read the entire article here
Wow! #Kremlin insider Kolesnikov: #Putin looking for other sources of information as doesn't trust own http://t.co/j7mdaLLpXF h/t @b_judah
— Fabian Burkhardt (@sanwaldinjo) July 29, 2014
From @CharlesCrawford - thoughts on his former colleague calling Vladimir Putin 'thuggish, dishonest and reckless' http://t.co/AzyzvI2YL5
— Daniel Sandford (@BBCDanielS) July 29, 2014
Russia cancels second ruble bond auction in a row amid threats of more sanctions.
— Paul Waldie (@pwaldieGLOBE) July 29, 2014
Here's the latest situation map for east Ukraine from Kyiv's National Security and Defense Council:
