The referenda in four regions of Ukraine, EU proposes new sanctions on Russia

The new proposal comes in direct response to referenda held in four regions occupied by Russia and the partial mobilisation decree signed last week by Vladimir Putin to bring up to 300,000 militias to the national military.

Russia has escalated Ukraine's conquest to a new level of”, the European Commission president said on Wednesday.

“We do not accept false referenda and any kind of annexation in Ukraine, and we are determined to make the Kremlin pay for this further escalation”, she said.

The proposed round of sanctions will cost the Kremlin 7 billion euros in revenues, von der Leyen said.

According to her, exports of goods produced by the EU, particularly the main technology used in the Russian Army, such as aviation, electronic and chemical components, will also be banned.

“These new export bans will also weaken Russia's economic base and weaken its capacity to modernise,” said, without providing further details.