BRUSSELS, Oct 23 (Reuters) - EU countries on Thursday formally adopted a 19th package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine that includes a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports. The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.

The European Union has agreed on a new raft of sanctions against Russia targeting its shadow fleet of oil tankers and banning imports of its liquefied natural gas

The European Union on Thursday formally adopted sweeping sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector, a day after the United States announced punitive measures against the Kremlin's oil industry.

European Commission Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho told reporters in Brussels on 27 October that proposals from the Commission to cover Ukraine's financial needs in 2026-2027, ahead of the next European Council meeting on 18 December,

European Union leaders have ordered the bloc’s executive branch to come up with options for meeting Ukraine’s pressing economic and military needs over the next two years.

U.S. officials also told European counterparts that they support the EU using frozen Russian assets to buy U.S. weapons for Kyiv.

President Trump abruptly canceled a second meeting with Russian President Putin in Budapest and instead approved new strong sanctions on Russian oil. Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, who is a Democratic candidate for Congress in Michigan’s 7th district,