The EU is planning to freeze the assets of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov under a sanctions package expected to be pushed through this Friday, the FT reported citing people familiar with the matter. EU Foreign Ministers are planning to approve the sanctions this afternoon, the FT reported, alongside additional measures against Russian banks and industry. The report noted, however, that Putin and Lavrov would not be subject to a travel ban, which the FT said underlines the EU's willingness to keep symbolic diplomatic possibilities open.