Macron calls for more energy sanctions as Ukraine accuses Russia of war crimes – POLITICO

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday called for further sanctions against Russian energy, particularly coal and oil, after reports that Russian forces had been committing war crimes against civilians in Ukraine.

“What just happened in Bucha requires a series of new sanctions and very clear measures,” Macron told radio station France Inter. “I support a package of sanctions, particularly on coal and oil, which we know are particularly painful. I want us to be able to act.”

Reports over the weekend that Russian forces were massacring and raping Ukrainian civilians in villages and towns near Kyiv, including Bucha, prompted calls for tougher sanctions on Moscow.

Macron said France will “coordinate with our European partners, especially Germany” but also “take additional individual measures”.

Federal Economics and Climate Minister Robert Habeck continued on Sunday exclude an immediate ban on Russian oil, gas and coal, arguing that the move would hurt the EU more than Moscow.

But Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht required a possible ban on Russian gas is to be discussed at EU level. “There has to be an answer,” she said. “Such crimes must not go unanswered.”

The bloc’s new sanctions package is awaited discussed at a meeting of EU finance ministers in Luxembourg on Monday and Tuesday, a This was announced by an official at the French Ministry of Economy on Monday.

“All options are on the table,” the official said, adding that the European Commission could also use the meeting to brief ministers “the avenues it is considering in terms of additional sanctions.”

Macron told France Inter there was “very clear evidence of war crimes” in Bucha and those responsible “will have to answer for it”.