EU condemns ‘war crimes’ in Ukraine but new sanctions unlikely

People examine the damage after shelling of a shopping centre in Kyiv, Ukraine (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

European Union countries have accused the Russian armed forces of committing war crimes in Ukraine, but appeared unlikely to impose new sanctions on Moscow despite a clamour across Europe for those responsible for attacks on civilians to be held to account.

With civilian deaths mounting in the besieged port city of Mariupol, German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock highlighted the increase in Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and theatres.