The European Union has approved the fifth package of sanctions against Russia for its unprovoked war against Ukraine.

Sanctions include bans on coal imports and the closure of European bloc ports for Russian ships.

“Together with the other four packages, these sanctions will increase economic pressure on the Kremlin and hamper its ability to finance the invasion of Ukraine,” the European bloc said in a statement on April 8.

“These measures are broader and tougher, so as to have an even greater impact on the Russian economy. “They were created in coordination with international partners,” the statement said, adding that additional sanctions against Moscow were being prepared.

The new sanctions target six sectors: coal, financial transactions, transport, imports and exports to Russia, and the exclusion of Russia from public contracts and European funds.

The United States and its European allies have imposed tough sanctions on Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine.

The aim is to isolate Moscow economically, financially and diplomatically.

These sanctions are in response to allegations of atrocities committed by Russian troops.