BRUSSELS, (Reuters) – The European Commission on Tuesday proposed new sanctions for Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. These included a ban on Russian coal purchases and on Russian vessels entering EU ports. It also stated that it is working towards banning oil imports.

We all witnessed the horrifying images from Bucha, and from other places where Russian troops recently fled. Ursula von der Leyen (head of executive for the European Union) stated that these atrocities can and will not go unresolved.

The four sanctions packages have been very hard on the Kremlin and severely limited its political and economic options. She said that in light of recent events she needed to intensify our pressure.

According to her, it would include an EU ban on coal imports from Russia of 4 billion Euros annually and a total ban on all transactions on the four most important Russian banks, which includes VTB, Russia’s second-largest bank.

Von der Leyen stated that they are currently working to implement additional sanctions on imports of oil and are examining some ideas from member states such as taxes, or payment channels like an escrow account.

Russian-operated and Russian-owned vessels will not be allowed to access EU ports. But, there would still be exceptions for humanitarian aid, agricultural and food products, and energy.

EU will ban Russian and Belarusian road operators, and prevent Russia from selling quantum computers, advanced semiconductors and transport equipment valued at 10 billion Euro annually.

Von der Leyen announced that the 27-nation group will also prohibit imports of Russian wood, cement and seafood. The total value is approximately 5.5 billion euro annually.

The Russian firms will no longer be eligible to bid in EU public procurement tenders. Additionally, additional individuals will be added to a list of EU residents whose assets are being frozen. They will also be barred from entering the EU.