BRUSSELS (AP) – The European Union (EU) has imposed sanctions on two adult daughters of Russian President Vladimir Putin as part of a new package targeting the Russian economy, businessmen and oligarchs in retaliation for the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine. of the EU.
The EU has included Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova in the up-to-date list of people facing asset freezing and travel bans.  The two EU officials from different EU member states spoke on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press on Friday, as the updated list of individuals and entities that have been imposed has not yet been published.
The move from the European bloc follows a similar move two days earlier than the United States.
Following evidence of torture and killings in war zones outside Kyiv, the EU has decided to impose a fifth package of measures.
“These latest sanctions were imposed after the atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces in Bukha and other Russian-occupied areas,” said Josep Borrell, a senior EU diplomat. “Inhumane and aggressive behavior of Russian troops and to make it clear to decision-makers in the Kremlin that their illegal aggression has a heavy cost.”
But many in the Ukrainian government want tougher measures that will have a faster impact on the war.
“Some countries may want to financially exhaust the Russians instead of stopping them, while the Ukrainians are shedding their blood.  “We do not accept that,” said Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.
In addition to imposing sanctions on individuals and their families, oligarchs and high-ranking Kremlin officials, the 27-nation bloc also formally approved an embargo on coal imports from August, as well as a full ban on trade in four major Russian anti-Russian banks. % of market share in the Russian banking sector.
Also, ships registered under the Russian flag are now barred from accessing EU ports, with the exception of agriculture and food, humanitarian aid and energy.
This is the first time that EU sanctions have targeted Russia’s lucrative energy industry over the war in Ukraine.  According to the EU Council, coal imports into the region currently amount to € 8 billion a year.
The EU has already begun work on additional sanctions, including oil imports.
EU officials say the impact of the bloc’s sanctions so far in the first four weeks shows that imports to the 27 countries from Russia fell by 9% in value and over 20% in volume.  EU trade with Russia fell by three quarters.
Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this story.