EU agrees on new sanctions against Russia, including coal import embargo

The European Union has agreed on a new sanctions package, including an embargo on Russian coal imports for invading Ukraine.

The sanctions will be formally implemented on Friday after the bloc approved the measures, reported DW News.

The current French presidency of the European Council said late on Thursday that the bloc's latest sanctions package has been given the political green light.

The main preparatory body comprising of each member's EU representatives, known as Coreper, approved what would be the fifth EU package of sanctions, including a stop to coal imports from Russia, reported DW News.

The package will be implemented once it is published in the EU's official journal, which is expected to happen on Friday.

Apart from an EU embargo on Russian coal imports, the sanctions includes an import ban on Russian wood and vodka.

Once implemented, it would be the bloc's first sanctions package to majorly target Moscow's energy industry.

The measures all short of a total ban on Russian fossil fuel imports, but EU officials said it could follow if Moscow maintains its assault, reported DW News.

However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that it will need a full 120-day period to implement a coal ban, reported the publication.

Scholz said the country would need to use the full transition period in order to implement a ban on Russian coal.

EU leaders agreed that the fifth package of sanctions should include an embargo on coal and that there would be a 120-day window in which member states would need to find alternative sources.

Following a debate, a majority of the UN General Assembly voted to suspend Moscow from the body's Human Rights Council.

Some 93 members voted in favour of suspending Russia, while 24 voted against. Another 58 members abstained.