Calls Grow For Fresh Sanctions On Russia Amid Evidence Of War Crimes

Ukraine's key seaport of Odessa came under missile fire as Russian troops retreating from the Kyiv oblast left behind them abundant evidence of war crimes and abuse of civilians. Footage from the village of Bucha and several other localities around the Ukrainian capital testified to the brutality of Russian forces, inspiring calls for stronger economic sanctions against Moscow.

• A number of Western leaders expressed readiness to play a role in tightening the current sanctions regime. In a notable departure from the earlier stance, German Defence Minister Lambrecht said the EU should debate banning gas imports from Russia. Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki went a step further as he called Russian atrocities "genocide" and called for a special EU summit, pointing to the need to sever all trade ties with Russia.
• Meanwhile, Moscow called an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council under the false pretence of alleged Ukrainian provocations in Bucha, a narrative reproduced in Russian state-controlled media. Russia asked that diplomats meet Monday afternoon to discuss the matter, while pushing back against accusations of perpetrating war crimes.
• While Russian troops withdrew from the entire Kyiv region Moscow is now shifting the focus of its military actions to the east and south of Ukraine. It launched a missile strike on critical infrastructure facilities in Odessa, while Ukraine's senior defence official Danilov said there could be intensified fighting in the Donbass in the near future.
• President Zelensky told the CBS that he was still open to negotiations with Russia's Vladimir Putin in his capacity as the Ukrainian leader despite Putin's complicity in war crimes. Zelensky noted that the ongoing talks could result in something more than just a peace deal, but so far negotiations on security guarantees have been unsuccessful.