DHAKA: The European Union is set to adopt much tougher economic sanctions against Russia for its role in the Ukraine crisis, officials said.

After discussions on broadening the sanctions from the current mix of asset freezes and travel bans, the legal instruments required to give effect to the new punitive measures will be taken up on Tuesday, they said.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, "will swiftly table the necessary legislative proposals in all areas identified" by member states earlier this week, a statement said.

EU foreign ministers agreed on Tuesday that the Commission and the bloc's external affairs arm should finalise work on tougher measures targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy, reports Al-Jazeera.com.

The 28-nation EU toughened its stance towards Moscow following last week's downing of a Malaysian airliner, killing 298 people, in an area of eastern Ukraine held by Russian-backed separatists.

BDST: 1236 HRS, JUL 26, 2014