The EU plans to tighten existing energy sanctions against Russia. Currently, the EU officials are considering an import ban on Russian coal.
At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron took the initiative and called for a ban on Russian oil and coal imports. Macron is confident that the EU should take these measures after the reports of atrocities in the Ukrainian cities.
"What happened in Bucha demands a new round of sanctions and very clear measures, so we will coordinate with our European partners, especially with Germany. We will take individual additional measures. I support the sanctions, which concern, in particular, oil and coal," the French president stressed.
Emmanuel Macron did not give a definite answer to the question from reporters about a blanket ban on Russian oil and coal supplies. However, he said that the EU leaders "should certainly advance on sanctions”. Earlier, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht had made a similar proposal. She urged the EU to discuss banning Russian gas imports.