Ukraine Crisis: A Look At Western Sanctions Against Russia

The United States, European Union and Britain have targeted Russia's financial sector with their first measures.

After weeks of threats, the West imposed Tuesday its first sanctions on Russia, but for the moment the actions will have limited impact on both the Russian and Western economies.

Targeting the Russian financial sector, the sanctions are "in line with the strategy of gradual measures that spare the energy sector," said Olivier Dorgans, a lawyer specialised on economic sanctions at the Ashurst law firm.

He noted however the decision by Germany to suspend the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

- West hits Russian financial sector -