Washington: The US imposed a ban on new investments in Crimea Friday, and barred trade in goods, technology or services with the Ukrainian region annexed by Russia.

US President Barack Obama noted in his executive order that the move was taken to "address the Russian occupation of the Crimea region of Ukraine" and that he authorised sanctions on individuals and entities operating in Crimea by freezing their assets under US jurisdiction and denying them entry to the US, Xinhua reported.