As we’ve been reporting, there have been calls for new, tougher sanctions on Russia over the apparent killings of large numbers of civilians in the town of Bucha, near Kyiv.
Ukraine has accused Russian troops of a “deliberate massacre” after the bodies of at least 20 people wearing civilian clothes were found on streets in the city.
Hundreds of corpses are said to have been found in towns outside Kyiv following the withdrawal of Russian troops from the area, according to Ukrainian officials. Russia denies any killings.
Here’s the latest reaction:
- French President Emmanuel Macron has called for further sanctions targeting Russia’s coal and oil exports – telling French media there were “clear indications of war crimes”
- Germany’s defence minister Christine Lambrecht says the European Union must now discuss banning the import of Russian gas – something leaders have been reluctant to do so far despite Ukrainian urging because of the effect it would have on European consumers
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has described images of dead bodies as a “punch in the gut”
- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned what he called “despicable attacks”. Reports suggest the UK could announce new sanctions this week
- Meanwhile EU Council president Charles Michel said further EU sanctions and support were “on their way”