The European Union has agreed to slap a travel ban and asset freeze against Ukrainians with "blood on their hands" but left the door open to a political deal by naming no names.
"In light of the deteriorating situation, the EU has decided as a matter of urgency to introduce targeted sanctions including an asset freeze and visa ban against those responsible for human rights violations, violence and use of excessive force," said a statement from EU foreign ministers after Ukraine crisis talks.
The measures, which Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said targeted Ukrainians with "blood on their hands", were agreed at emergency talks in Brussels convened to address the worsening crisis in Ukraine.
The sanctions, which include a wide-ranging ban on European sales of anti-riot equipment, mark a diplomatic U-turn for the 28-nation bloc which previously had resisted US calls to impose punitive measures.
Some nations felt sanctions were often ineffective while others feared they could drive President Viktor Yanukovych further into Russia's arms.
But as horrific scenes of violence flashed up on European TV screens, Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague said the sanctions are "a strong signal of how unacceptable this is in a European city, in a European country".
"We call on all to turn away from violence," he said.
EU officials will work from Friday on a list of Ukrainians to face sanctions, with Hague saying the number "will depend on developments to come".
A final list "can take one or two days" to allow for proper legal work, said Dutch Foreign Minister Franz Timmermans.
