Russian defense minister says his troops have no intention of entering Ukraine . U.S. sanctions target 20 Russian officials , Bank Rossiya , Treasury Department says . Russia 's lower house of parliament overwhelmingly approved a treaty Thursday to annex the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine , prompting tougher sanctions from the United States . The Associated Press reports that the Obama administration is considering a range of options to punish Russia for its actions in Ukraine. Moscow 's lower house approves treaty to annex Crimea .
Russian defense minister says his troops have no intention of entering Ukraine . U.S. sanctions target 20 Russian officials , Bank Rossiya , Treasury Department says . The Associated Press reports that the Obama administration is considering a range of options to punish Russia for its actions in Ukraine. Moscow 's lower house approves treaty to annex Crimea .