NEW YORK – European Union officials are set to hold discussions on new sanctions against Russia in Washington on September 8.

The EU delegation will be led by David O’Sullivan, the bloc’s envoy on sanctions, and the talks will take place at the US Department of the Treasury. Officials from the White House, the US State Department, and the Office of the US Trade Representative are also expected to take part. The agenda will focus on “various forms of economic pressure” to be imposed on Moscow, including potential new rounds of sanctions.

European Council President Antonio Costa had earlier confirmed that an EU team would travel to the United States to coordinate sanctions policy on Russia.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at a press conference after his visit to China, accused Western nations of exploiting the Ukraine conflict to advance their own economic interests in dealings with other countries.