The European Council on Thursday evening agreed on new sanctions imposed on several sectors in Russia after Moscow launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine by land, air and sea.

The Council, which held an urgent meeting on Thursday evening, said in a press release that it agreed “on further restrictive measures that will have massive and severe consequences for Russia, in close coordination with partners and allies.”

“These sanctions cover: the financial sector, the energy and transport sectors, dual-use goods, export control and export financing, visa policy, additional listings of Russian individuals, new listing criteria.”

Belarus condemned for its involvement in Russia’s aggression

The European Council says on its web site that it “condemned the involvement of Belarus in Russia’s military aggression and called for the swift preparation of a further individual and economic sanctions package that will also cover Belarus.”

“The European Council also called for taking forward the work on preparedness and readiness at all levels and invited the Commission, in particular, to put forward contingency measures, including on energy.”

The Council “reiterated its unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders.”

It also “reaffirmed its full solidarity with Ukraine and that it will continue to support Ukraine and its people together with its international partners, including through additional political, financial and humanitarian support and an international donors’ conference.”

The political agreement on the sanctions is to be endorsed on Friday by EU foreign ministers.