Ukraine war: US and EU to ramp up sanctions on Russia amid outrage over Bucha atrocities

Russia's war in Ukraine is taking on a new dimension with growing evidence of human rights atrocities by Vladimir Putin's troops, accused of killing civilians in cold blood as they retreated from the Kyiv region.

Moves are afoot to investigate war crimes but there are fears that similar massacres could occur, given Russia's failure to gain control of the country or even any key cities following its invasion on February 24.

Moscow is now concentrating its offensive on eastern and southern Ukraine. Thousands have been killed so far and Russian bombardments have caused widespread devastation. Millions have fled their homes, creating Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War II.

The war has deepened the rupture between Russia and the West, which is planning more economic sanctions against Moscow.

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The EU is drawing up a fifth round of economic sanctions on Russia to maintain pressure on Putin and his government.

The sanctions will target Russian coal exports in the first move to hit Moscow's energy sector.

But yet again, the question of gas appeared to be off the table.

Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research, told Euronews that the EU is gradually moving towards the US position in tightening sanctions.

Read the article and watch the interview here:

The U.S. and its European allies will impose stiff new sanctions, including a ban on new investments in Russia on Wednesday, a U.S. official says, in retaliation for Russia’s “war crimes” in Ukraine.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to preview the announcement.

The joint action will include a ban on new investment in Russia,