Russia to be hit with new sanctions as Zelenskyy demands penalties ‘commensurate to war crimes’
Russia will be hit with billions of pounds of new sanctions after Ukraine’s president urged Western leaders to punish Moscow over alleged war crimes.
EU leaders are meeting to approve plans to ban the purchase of Russian coal and stop its ships entering European ports.
The US is also set to unveil new measures later, including a ban on new investment in Russia and tougher sanctions against financial institutions and state-owned firms.
They are partly in response to scenes in Bucha, near Kyiv, where more than 300 bodies have been discovered, including some civilians with their hands tied behind their backs.
Ukraine news live – US to send Javelin missiles as sanctions ‘to target Putin’s daughters’
Key developments:
• Evacuations through 11 humanitarian corridors to be attempted today, says Ukraine deputy PM
• Mariupol’s humanitarian situation worsening, says UK Ministry of Defence
• Ukraine’s president tells Irish parliament Russia using hunger as ‘weapon’
• France’s president agrees to give technical support for investigation into alleged war crimes
President Zelenskyy said on Tuesday that new sanctions “must be commensurate with the gravity of the occupiers’ war crimes”.
“Now is a crucial moment, especially for Western leaders. And this is no longer about how our people will evaluate the new sanctions and what I will say about them,” he said.
“This is about how decisions on sanctions will be assessed in Western societies themselves.
“After what the world saw in Bucha, sanctions against Russia must be commensurate with the gravity of the occupiers’ war crimes.”
The remnants of apartment blocks hit by shelling in Borodyanka, Kyiv region
A resident looks for their belongings in the remains of an apartment building in Borodyanka
Speaking to the Irish parliament on Wednesday, Mr Zelenskyy accused Russia of using hunger as a weapon and urged politicians to convince the EU to introduce “more rigid” sanctions.
European Union leaders are discussing the new measures in Brussels – they need the approval of the 27 member states.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said banning Russian coal would cost Moscow €4bn a year (£3.3bn), while other planned bans would be worth €5.5bn (£4.5bn).
However, the prospect of banning Russian gas – which is far more valuable for Moscow – is more controversial as countries such as Germany heavily rely on it.
Oleksii Shcherbo, 98, walks past his burnt-out house in Sloboda, outside Chernihiv
Germany’s foreign minister said on Tuesday that EU states had agreed in principle to completely end fossil fuel imports from Russia but did not give dates for its introduction.
A transaction ban on four Russian banks, including VTB, is also planned in the latest sanctions, while measures are expected against more oligarchs.
European leaders also want to stop the export of semiconductors, machinery and transport equipment worth €10bn (£8.3bn).
Bodies lay in the streets for weeks in Bucha
New US sanctions will put further pressure on government officials and their family, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
“The goal is to force them to make a choice,” she said.
“The biggest part of our objective here is to deplete the resources that Putin has to continue his war against Ukraine.”
America has also approved the transfer of $100m of Javelin anti-armour missiles to Ukraine in its latest supply of weapons to the country.
Airstrike hits ambulance
Despite Russia pulling out of the area around Kyiv, the bombardment of Mariupol shows no sign of letting up, according to the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD).
“Heavy fighting and airstrikes” are continuing and the humanitarian situation is “worsening”, the MoD said in its update on Wednesday.
“Most of the 160,000 remaining residents have no light, communication, medicine, heat or water,” it tweeted.
“Russian forces have prevented humanitarian access, likely to pressure defenders to surrender.”
Evacuations through 11 humanitarian corridors will be attempted from Ukrainian cities on Wednesday, said Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.
However, those fleeing Mariupol will have to use their own vehicles.
Sky’s Mark Austin will interview Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov on Thursday
Repeated attempts by the Red Cross to get a convoy of evacuation buses, as well as supplies, into Mariupol have failed.
Ms Vereshchuk said Russian forces had prevented the convoy from entering, but that 1,496 civilians had been allowed to leave on Tuesday.
The capture of the city would mean Russian could create a land corridor between Crimea – which it annexed in 2014 – and areas of the Donbas controlled by separatists.
Meanwhile, in the eastern Luhansk region, part of Donbas, authorities have warned people to evacuate “while it is safe” in case escape routes are cut off.
Governor Serhiy Haidai wrote on the Telegram messaging app: “I appeal to every resident of the Luhansk region – evacuate while it is safe… While there are buses and trains – take this opportunity. “
Speaking to Sky News, he warned an increase in Russian attacks could make the situation in the region as bad as in Mariupol.
“The thing is that some people actually don’t want to leave but they should see what the Russians did with Mariupol, Bucha, Irpin,” said Mr Haidai.
“The situation will be the same here, maybe even worse. This is why there should be no delays. Please, use our offer, evacuate to preserve life.”