EU To Expand Ukraine Sanctions, Poroshenko Promises 'Restraint'

Poroshenko addressing Ukrainian soldiers on July 8.

The European Union will reportedly add 11 new names to the list of persons targeted with asset freezes and travel bans over the Ukraine crisis.

EU diplomatic sources said on July 9 that the decision would be implemented by the end of the week.

Names will be published in the official journal of the European Union in the coming days.

The EU has already imposed asset freezes and travel bans on 61 people and two companies for participating in the separatist rebellion in eastern Ukraine.

On July 9, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in a telephone call urged Ukraine's Western-backed President Petro Poroshenko to move toward a political solution.

France said Poroshenko promised to exercise "restraint" in the campaign in eastern Ukraine.

But Poroshenko also said that the situation was aggravated by Russia, as militants continued to receive weapons from across the border.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP