Ukraine crisis: EU and US prepare tighter Russia sanctions --- Western countries are preparing to tighten sanctions on Russia over its action in Ukraine, US and British officials say. -- Targets would include Russia's defence industry, state-owned banks and associates of President Vladimir Putin. -- Peace talks including Ukraine, Russia and pro-Russia rebels are due to start in Belarus on Friday. -- The West accuses Russia of sending arms and troops to back the rebels in eastern Ukraine. Moscow denies this. -- A UK government official said the European Union would announce - jointly with the US - sanctions on Friday, including more restrictions on Russian banking, energy and defence. -- More of what the official dubbed "Putin cronies" would have travel bans imposed on them. -- "We will keep the pressure on Putin to force him to the negotiating table and off the battlefield," the official said. -- Deputy White House National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes, speaking at the Nato summit in Wales, said the US was finalising new penalties. -- French President Francois Hollande said European leaders would announce sanctions on Friday "and put them into action if there is no progress [on Ukraine], but everything will depend on the coming hours". - Read More, BBC, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29072129