Ukraine calls for more sanctions against Russia over mass killings

ISTANBUL

Ukraine’s foreign minister urged G7 countries Sunday to impose more sanctions on Russia following the mass killing of civilians in the city of Bucha near the capital, Kyiv.

“Bucha massacre was deliberate. Russians aim to eliminate as many Ukrainians as they can,” said Dmytro Kuleba on Twitter, sharing photographs of victims.

“We must stop them and kick them out. I demand new devastating G7 sanctions NOW: -Oil, gas, coal embargo - Close all ports to Russian vessels and goods - Disconnect all Russian banks from SWIFT,” Kuleba added.

In a separate tweet, he said the “Bucha massacre proves that Russian hatred towards Ukrainians is beyond anything Europe has seen since WWII.”

“The only way to stop this: help Ukraine kick Russians out as soon as possible. Partners know our needs. Tanks, combat aircraft, heavy air defense systems. Provide them NOW.”

Earlier in the day, Kuleba called on international organizations to send their experts to the country as soon as possible to collect evidence of war crimes committed by Russian troops.

On Saturday, Mikhail Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said on Twitter: “Bucha, Kyiv region. The bodies of people with tied hands, who were shot dead by Russian soldiers lie in the streets.”

“They had no weapons. They posed no threat. How many more such cases are happening right now in the occupied territories?"

The Russian Defense Ministry has denied that its troops killed civilians while withdrawing from towns near Kyiv.

The US, UK, Germany and some EU countries accused Russia of committing “war crimes” in Ukraine, following reports of atrocities in Bucha.

The Russian war against Ukraine, which started on Feb. 24, has been met with international outrage, with the European Union, US and UK among others implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,417 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 2,038 injured, according to UN estimates, with the true figure feared to be far higher.

More than 4.1 million Ukrainians have also fled to other countries, with millions more internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.