Energy sanctions are being considered by the EU as a response to Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine

The European Union denounced the massacre of innocent citizens by Russian soldiers as they retreated from Ukrainian cities on Monday, threatening a fresh round of harsh measures on Russia in the coming days, including possible sanctions against Russia’s oil, gas, and coal exports. “Horrifying photographs of massive numbers of civilian deaths and injuries, as well as the damage of civilian infrastructures, reveal the actual face of Russia’s savage campaign of aggression against Ukraine and its people.” The killings in Bucha and other Ukrainian villages will be added to the list of atrocities perpetrated on European soil, according to a statement released by the EU on Monday.

“The EU will continue to stand firm behind Ukraine and work on further measures against Russia as soon as possible.” “President Putin must promptly and unconditionally end this conflict,” the EU stated. Europe, which relies on Russian natural gas and oil for about one-third and one-fourth of its consumption, respectively, has avoided directly targeting Russian energy exports for fear of sanctions or an embargo causing a significant recession in the main European economies, notably Germany’s.

Germany has been one of the most adamant opponents of a Russian energy embargo, but as photographs of Russian crimes in Buchan and other Ukrainian villages surfaced, the sentiment in Berlin looks to be turning. On Sunday, Germany’s defense minister, Christine Lambrecht, was cited as stating that the EU should consider imposing an embargo on Russian natural gas imports.

“There must be a reaction.” Such atrocities must not go unpunished, according to Lambrecht. According to a spokesman for the German government, Wolfgang Buechner, it is too early to speculate on which industries the new sanctions may target, Bloomberg reported on Monday. “I am in favor of a round of sanctions, notably on coal and oil, which we know are extremely detrimental,” France’s President Emmanuel Macron told a local radio station. France will consult with EU allies, particularly Germany, on the next steps to take. Macron continued.