US joins allies imposing sanctions on Putin, Lavrov

With a military intervention in Ukraine off the table, and countries around the world looking to heap more financial sanctions on Moscow, the United States, Britain and European Union said Friday they will move to sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The EU's unanimous decision, part of a broader sanctions package, indicated that Western powers are moving toward unprecedented measures to try to force Putin to stop the invasion of Russia's neighbor and from unleashing a major war in Europe.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also told NATO leaders during a call Friday that Britain would move to impose sanctions against Putin and Lavrov. The EU said it would move to freeze Putin's assets. White House press secretary Jen Psaki indicated the U.S. sanctions will include a travel ban.

President Joe Biden, who had previously said sanctions targeting Putin were under consideration, decided to make the move in the last 24 hours after talks with European leaders.