German govt urges to investigate crimes of Russian military, tighten sanctions against Russia

The German government calls for an investigation into the crimes of the Russian military and tougher sanctions against the Russian Federation, DW reports.

"We must investigate these crimes of the Russian military with all severity," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday, after the publication of evidence of war crimes committed by Russian invaders in Kyiv region.

He noted that "criminals and those who gave them orders must be consistently held accountable."

Scholz also appealed to Moscow with a call to "finally agree to a ceasefire and stop hostilities."

At the same time, the German government calls for tougher sanctions against the Russian Federation.

"We will tighten sanctions against Russia and support Ukraine even more strongly in its defense," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock tweeted.

Head of the Ministry of Economy and Vice Chancellor of Germany Robert Habeck also supports the tightening of sanctions against the Russian Federation.

"This terrible war crime cannot go unpunished (the crimes of the Russian military in Kyiv region)," he said in an interview with the German publication Bild.

He also noted that "increased punitive measures against Russia are already under development" with partners in the EU.