Russian singer, deputy ministers top new EU sanctions list

Brussels

A VETERAN Russian singer who voiced support for Russia's annexation of Crimea has been subjected to EU sanctions in a new blacklist published by the European Union on Monday.

Moscow said that the EU had "contradict(ed) common sense" by imposing new sanctions one day after the start of a ceasefire in the conflict between Kiev and Russian-backed rebels. Iosif, or Joseph, Kobzon, 77, is the best known name on the list that imposes asset freezes and travel bans on 19 people and nine organisations, including two Russian deputy defence ministers.