The European Union has confirmed an additional list of sanctions on Russia amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, announced on Thursday that oil imports from Russia will be entirely phased out in the coming months.
As well as this, officials have promised to sanction its biggest bank, state broadcasters, and people responsible for alleged atrocities in Ukraine.
READ MORE: Irish man sanctioned by UK Government due to links with Russian media
Meanwhile, cities across the Eastern European country continue to cope with constant attacks from the Russian military as missiles continue to be fired.
Ukrainian officials confirmed that around 20,000 people have died in Ukraine since the invasion began.
In order to sanction those connected to the violence, The EU commission announced the sanctions will target:
- High-ranking military officers and other individuals who have committed war crimes
- SWIFT Sberbank – Russia's largest bank
- Russian state-owned broadcasters
- Russian oil imports
Speaking to the European Parliament, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said: “Today, we are presenting the sixth package of sanctions.
“First, we are listing high-ranking military officers and other individuals who committed war crimes in Bucha and who are responsible for the inhuman siege of the city of Mariupol.
“This sends another important signal to all perpetrators of the Kremlin's war: We know who you are, and you will be held accountable.
“Second, we de-SWIFT Sberbank – by far Russia's largest bank, and two other major banks. By that, we hit banks that are systemically critical to the Russian financial system and Putin's ability to wage destruction. This will solidify the complete isolation of the Russian financial sector from the global system.
“Third, we are banning three big Russian state-owned broadcasters from our airwaves. They will not be allowed to distribute their content anymore in the EU, in whatever shape or form, be it on cable, via satellite, on the internet or via smartphone apps.
“We have identified these TV channels as mouthpieces that amplify Putin's lies and propaganda aggressively. We should not give them a stage anymore to spread these lies.”
Speaking about entirely phasing out Russian oil imports, von der Leyen said: “Let us be clear: it will not be easy. Some Member States are strongly dependent on Russian oil. But we simply have to work on it. We now propose a ban on Russian oil.
“This will be a complete import ban on all Russian oil, seaborne and pipeline, crude and refined.
“We will make sure that we phase out Russian oil in an orderly fashion, in a way that allows us and our partners to secure alternative supply routes and minimises the impact on global markets.”
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