CRI听力:EU Sanctions More Ukrainian Separatists

Governments in the European Union are making moves to try to put more pressure on Ukrainian separatists.

A new list of individuals to be placed under asset freezes and travel bans has been issued to EU countries.

There are already around 120 Ukrainian and Russian officials under EU asset freezes and travel bans.

However, European countries are divided about imposing more economic sanctions on Russia, fearing the measures could hurt their own economies.

The EU's new foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, argues sanctions are an effective tool.

"The instrument that we have used so far in our policy, not a policy in itself but an instrument, the economic pressure with sanctions, that are an effective tool in a broader strategy, and in this view we decided today additional listings of individuals as you have seen. And that will take place with a decision in the next two weeks."

Mogherini, who has taken over from Catherine Ashton, is also reportedly looking into a possible visit to Moscow to try to ease tensions.

UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond says talks among Russia and G20 leaders this past weekend in Australia has opened up the opportunity for political dialogue.

"We're all clear that we want to try and find a political solution and that there is a small window, albeit a small window possibly opened up from the conversations that our leaders had with President Putin in Brisbane."

The comments have been made following an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday.