- The EU will phase out Russian crude oil within six months and refined products by the end of the year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday, announcing the sixth package of sanctions against Russia.

- In response to possible EU sanctions, the Kremlin said Russia is observing the process and calculating a variety of scenarios.

- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday announced 63 Japanese citizens, including top officials like Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, have been "permanently" barred from entering Russia.

- Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said on Wednesday that "heavy fighting" is taking place at the Azovstal steel plant, and contact has been lost with Ukrainian forces there.