New recruits of the Ukrainian interim undergo training in unarmed combat not far from Kiev on Monday. Kiev had called last week for the initial mobilization of reservists, and approved the creation of a new National Guard of 60,000 volunteers, as Russian forces encircled Ukrainian military bases in Crimea. AFP PHOTO
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States (US) and Europe hit Vladimir Putin’s inner circle with sanctions but failed to dissuade the Russian leader from pursuing his apparent goal of annexing Crimea.