The EU countries have agreed on a compromise in the dispute over the planned oil embargo against Russia.
More than two-thirds of Russian oil supplies to the EU are said to be affected by the import ban, as EU Council President Charles Michel announced during a summit meeting in Brussels on Tuesday night.
Plans for a full European oil embargo against Russia were not possible because of a blockade by Hungary.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed incomprehension about the EU's hesitant approach to the new sanctions package.
"Why can Russia still earn almost a billion euros a day selling energy?" asked Zelenskyj, who was connected via video.
The agreement on the oil embargo is also relevant because it is part of a whole package of sanctions that has also been on hold for weeks due to the blockade in Hungary.
In addition to the oil embargo, it also provides for the exclusion of the largest Russian bank, Sberbank, from the Swift financial communications network.
In addition, Russia's state television news channel Russia 24 (Rossiya 24) and the state broadcasters RTR Planeta and TV Center are to be banned in the EU.
Ideally, the formal sanctions decision could be made in a few days.
It must be taken by written procedure or by a Council of Ministers.
Topics at the EU summit, which lasts until this Tuesday, are measures against the very high energy prices, further support for Ukraine and EU cooperation in the area of security and defense.
After Zelenskyj's speech, EU Council President Michel announced that the EU would continue to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities and help with reconstruction.
In addition, the Belgian held out the prospect of new funds to maintain the country's solvency.