EU Imposes Stiffer Sanctions On Russia, Stops Short Of Hitting Major Companies

European Union leaders met Tuesday and pledged to toughen sanctions against Russia, imposing a new round of asset freezes and travel bans against high-ranking Russian government officials. The sanctions, coming five days after the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Eastern Ukraine, are Europe's strictest punishment of Moscow since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis. Nevertheless, European leaders stopped short of targeting major Russian companies and industries.