EU to Sanction Russian Defense Minister, Internet Research Agency

The European Union is planning to sanction Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia’s Internet Research Agency, which U.S. officials previously sanctioned for allegedly fueling divisions during the 2016 U.S. elections, diplomats said Wednesday.

The sanctions listings, which are set to take force later Wednesday, are part of the first wave of restrictions initiated by the European Union in response to Russia’s recognition this week of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and the deployment of Russian forces into the area. Representatives of the Russian Embassy in London weren’t immediately available for comment.