European foreign ministers ready to toughen action against Russia

ROME (Reuters) -Foreign ministers from large European countries said on Thursday they were ready to step up pressure on Russia, "including through further sanctions" involving the energy and banking sector, to weaken Moscow in its war with Ukraine.

The meeting in Rome involved representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and the European Union. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and a Ukrainian representative also joined the talks.

"We are determined to keep Russian sovereign assets in our jurisdictions immobilised until Russia ceases its aggression and pays for the damage it has caused," the countries said in a statement.

(Reporting by Angelo Amante, editing by Gavin Jones)