The President of European Council releases a video address.

“We are already hitting hard those who launched this war against you. We have decided, together with all our partners, unprecedented sanctions against the Russian leadership. Including against Vladimir Putin and Sergey Lavrov.

And we are targeting all the oligarchs who support them. With our allies, we are cutting Russia, and its economy, from the international financial system. This will severely cripple Russia’s ability to operate globally. We are also closing European airspace to Russian airlines. And we will go further.

We would prefer to solve this conflict through dialogue and negotiations. But let there be no doubt. We will hold to account all those responsible for this war. And all those who violate the law of war and international humanitarian law”, - said Charles Michel.