Ukraine’s allies are currently scrambling for a new wave of sanctions after horrific reports emerged of over 4,400 counts of war crime accusations which were brought to light this week.
The White House announced that additional sanctions will be issued later today, in part motivated in response to the fresh reports emerging from the region.
The sanctions would reportedly include measures by the EU to ban member states from purchasing Russian coal, along with a ban on Russian ships gaining entry to EU ports.
The bloc is also moving towards a total ban of Russia oil and gas, however the organisation has cited awareness of the knock-on effect the total removal of Russia exports from the European market would have across the continent.
The US has brought forward further measures in alliance with the EU and Ukraine in its bid to stifle Putin’s war efforts in Russia’s invasion.
“The goal is to force them to make a choice,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki.
“The biggest part of our objective here is to deplete the resources that Putin has to continue his war against Ukraine.”
Evidence of bodies shot dead in the streets of Ukrainian town Bucha were brought forward, alongside reports of mass human rights abuses across the country.
Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova released a statement on Tuesday detailing the extensive murder and sexual assault across the region, and warned government agencies and investigators to work carefully with the victims to avoid retraumatising them or causing even more damage.
“We are developing an effective algorithm to help victims physically, morally and legally,” said Venediktov.
“NGOs will be very helpful in this, because, as the practice of combating domestic violence shows, it is they who trust the victims.”
“And here we will be in synergy: from them safety and therapy, from us protection of the rights of victims and punishment of guilty.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken added: “What we’ve seen in Bucha is not the random act of a rogue unit. It’s a deliberate campaign to kill, to torture, to rape, to commit atrocities.”
“The reports are more than credible. The evidence is there for the world to see.”
“This reinforces our determination and the determination of countries around the world to make sure that one way or another, one day or another, there is accountability for those who committed these acts, for those who ordered them.”