US mulls more sanctions on Moscow after accusations of atrocities in Bucha, Ukraine

Washington: The recent discovery of bodies scattered on the streets of the Ukrainian town of Bucha after the withdrawal of Russian forces has sparked global outrage.

In response, the United States is upping pressure on multiple fronts against President Vladimir Putin with more sanctions on Moscow, more weapons for Ukraine, and a probe into alleged war crimes by Russian soldiers, officials said on Monday.

European officials have signalled that they could sanction Russia's energy exports after images emerged of mass killings of civilians in Bucha.

Josep Borrell, the European Union's top diplomat, said in a statement Monday that the bloc was working as a "matter of urgency" on drawing up new sanctions against Russia. French President Macron said that he would support a total ban on Russian coal and oil exports to the European Union as soon as this week.

The EU said it is ready to send a team of investigators to gather evidence of possible war crimes after the mass graves were discovered.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday told the reporters that Washington, in concert with European allies, is working on more measures to add to the already withering raft of economic sanctions aimed at crippling the ruble, Russia's elite and the country's ability to import high-tech components.

"You can expect further sanctions announcements this week," he said, adding that "options that relate" to Russia's lucrative energy industry are on the table.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin denies Russian forces killed civilians, claiming that the images of dead bodies in Bucha are "fakes" produced by "Ukrainian radicals."

Ten civilians were also killed while 46 were wounded in a Russian bombardment of the Ukrainian town Mykolaiv on Monday. In a jarring discovery, Ukrainian authorities also found the bodies of five civilians with their hands tied in a village west of Kyiv, including those of that town's mayor, her husband and son.