TODAY: EU and US increase Russia sanctions, target companies directly, Lavrov says news is ‘sad’; activists take complaints to ECHR; Kirov authorities ban gmail for students; house arrest extended for Navalny associate; Russia and Cuba to re-open spy base.

Europe and the US have increased their economic sanctions against Russia over claims of the Kremlin’s renewed backing for pro-Russian separatists fighting on the Russia-Ukraine border.  ‘Russia’s support for the separatists and violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty has continued,’ said President Barack Obama.  New targets include Gazprombank, Novatek, Vnesheconombank (VEB), and Rosneft, in the first direct target of the banking, military, and energy sectors.  The sanctions are a result of consultations with EU leaders, though their corresponding package of measures is ‘less ambitious’.  Europe is seeking to block loans for new projects in Russia by the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – despite the fact that Russia holds shares in the latter.  President Vladimir Putin says the new measures will lead to a ‘dead end’ in terms of diplomatic relations with the US. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Obama’s position regarding Russia is ‘sad’.  Rosneft head Igor Sechin says the sanctions are illegal.  Putin has proposed that the BRICS countries set up an energy association and fuel reserve.