EU proposes sweeping sanctions on Moscow as pro-Russian rebels advance

European officials proposed sweeping new sanctions today to starve Russia’s companies of capital and technology as punishment for Moscow’s intervention in Ukraine, where Kiev officials said Russia was bolstering an “invasion” force. Western countries accuse Moscow of sending armoured columns of troops into Ukraine, where the momentum in a five-month war shifted last week decisively in favour of pro-Russian rebels who are now advancing on a major port. Russia denies its troops are involved in fighting on the ground in the face of what Western countries and Ukraine say is overwhelming evidence.

We need to respond in the strongest possible way.

The EU’s newly named incoming foreign policy chief, Italy’s Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini

According to the United Nations, the war, in which pro-Russian separatists are fighting to throw off rule from Kiev, has killed more than 2,600 people and driven nearly a million from their homes in east Ukraine. European leaders asked the EU on Saturday to draw up new sanctions to punish Moscow, which are expected to be unveiled on Wednesday and adopted by Friday. The United States is also planning new sanctions but is keen to maintain Western unity by not getting in front of its European allies. Outlining the new proposals on Tuesday, European diplomats described a number of mainly technical measures that would have the combined effect of making it harder for companies in Russia’s state-dominated economy to obtain overseas financing.

Europe russia