EU takes aim at countries helping Russia to avoid sanctions

BRUSSELS - A top European Union official on Tuesday urged the 27 member nations to take trade measures against countries that help the Kremlin to circumvent the bloc's sanctions against Russia. During a visit to Kyiv, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the measures – which would set a new precedent for EU action – should be part of a fresh round of Russia sanctions which the member countries are discussing. "We recently see a growth of highly unusual trade flows through the European Union and certain third countries. These goods then end up in Russia," von der…