US, allies face economic bite with Russia sanctions

Powering up: People charge their mobile phones in a public building in Bucha, Kyiv. Western powers are readying new sanctions against the Russian government. — AFP

AS the world’s wealthy democratic powers roll out new sanctions against Russia in response to horrifying images of executed Ukrainians in the city of Bucha, it has become clear that the easiest options are now exhausted and stark differences have emerged among allies over next steps.

The European Union (EU) proposed a first stab at curbing Russia’s energy sector in response to its invasion of Ukraine launched in February, banning imports of Russian coal. But EU countries remain divided even over this move, much less restricting imports of Russian oil and gas that are more important to their economies.