EU must discuss import ban on Russian gas, German defence minister says 

Germany’s defence minister has stated that the European Union should discuss banning Russian gas imports after European and Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of atrocities near Kyiv.

"There must be a response. These crimes cannot be left unanswered," Christine Lambrecht, the defence ministry quoted her saying in an interview with ARD.

Berlin has so far refused to support growing calls for an embargo on Russian energy imports, claiming that its economy and those of other European countries are too dependent upon them. Russia supplies 40% Europe's gas requirements.

According to a tweet from Lambrecht's ministry, Lambrecht stated that EU ministers would now need to discuss a ban.

Sunday's Foreign Minister Annalena Bock also demanded tougher sanctions against Moscow, but she did not mention the energy sector.

"Those responsible must be held accountable for these war crimes." She stated on Twitter that we will increase sanctions against Russia and help Ukraine defend itself more.

Although the EU has been considering additional sanctions for some time, Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni stated on Saturday that no additional sanctions would affect the sector.

Ukraine claimed Saturday that it has taken full control of the Kyiv area for the first time since Russia invaded on February 24. Bucha's mayor, located 37km (23 miles) north of the capital, stated that 300 people had been killed by Russian soldiers.

Russia's defence ministry denies the allegation and says that photographs of dead bodies in Bucha were taken by Kyiv.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz requested that international organisations like the International Committee of the Red Cross be allowed to access the affected areas in order to document the atrocities he describes.