Published by
Reuters UK
Reuters UK
By Steve Holland, Guy Faulconbridge and Dmitry Antonov WASHINGTON/LONDON/MOSCOW (Reuters) -The United States and the United Kingdom are prepared to punish Russian elites close to President Vladimir Putin with asset freezes and travel bans if Russia sends troops into Ukraine, the White House and British government said on Monday. Britain urged Putin to “step back from the brink” after the Russian buildup of troops near Ukraine stoked fears of war, and warned any incursion would trigger sanctions against companies and people close to the Kremlin. “The individuals we have identified are in or nea…