Marine Strauss and Sabine Siebold

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) –European Union officials will impose additional sanctions against Russia. They will freeze its assets and stop its access to the European financial markets. The EU leaders also targeted “Kremlin interest” in response to its “barbaric assault” on Ukraine.

Russian forces launched missiles against several Ukrainian cities and then landed troops along its coast Thursday. This was after President Vladimir Putin authorized what he described as a “special military operation” in the east.

Ursula von der Leyen, chief of European Commission, stated that President Putin was responsible for returning war to Europe. She also said that the EU would be holding him accountable.

In an emergency declaration, she stated that “With this package we will target strategic sections of the Russian economic by blocking them access to key technologies or markets.” “We are going to weaken Russia’s economic base, and it’s ability to modernise.”

“We will also freeze Russian assets within the EU, and we will stop Russian banks from accessing the European financial markets.”

On Wednesday, the EU approved its first round sanctions. This included blacklisting Russian politicians as well as limiting trade between EU and eastern Ukraine’s two separatist regions. Putin recognized their independence.

Josep Borrell said that these new measures will be discussed during an evening summit with national EU leaders. It is expected to begin at 1900 GMT and continue until midnight GMT.

“This will be the darkest hour for Europe since World War Two. Russia’s leaders will experience unprecedented isolation.”

He also said that the EU would prepare an additional aid package for Ukraine. He said that the EU would also support evacuation operations and our staff working in areas affected by Russian attacks.

A few minutes after Putin’s televised speech on Russian state TV was over, there were explosions in Kyiv. According to Interfax, gunfire was heard near Kiev’s main international airport. Also, sirens could be heard throughout the area.