Fresh EU sanctions will "make Kremlin pay" for escalating in Ukraine -von der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell address the media on the Ukraine crisis, in Brussels, Belgium, September 28, 2022. REUTERS/Yves Herman

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen proposed on Wednesday a new package of Russia sanctions, designed "to make the Kremlin pay" for escalating the conflict in Ukraine with what she called "sham" votes in occupied territory.

"We do not accept the sham referenda and any kind of annexation in Ukraine, and we are determined to make the Kremlin pay for this further escalation," she told reporters in Brussels.