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 EU’s extensive measures follow the U.S. Treasury Department unveiling sanctions on Wednesday targeting Moscow’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, starting Nov. 21. The monthlong deadline means that Russia still has time to strike a deal and avoid the economic repercussions.

Belgium, in particular, has been reluctant to back using the frozen assets as it is nervous about having to shoulder any potential consequences should Russia legally challenge Euroclear, the clearing house where the money is located.

Kyrgyzstan voiced regret on Friday over the inclusion of several Kyrgyz entities in the European Union's latest Russia sanctions list, a move it called "one-sided sanctions pressure".

European leaders vowed to work in coordination to ratchet up the pressure on Russia as the so-called “coalition of the willing” met in London to discuss strategies to end the war in Ukraine.

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.

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever insists that his European partners must share the risk of using billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets that are held in his country to help keep Ukraine’s economy and war effort afloat in coming years.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday urged European leaders to quickly allow his country to use €140 billion in frozen Russian assets to repair the damage caused by the three-year war with Russia.

Russian President Putin is calling the sanctions the Trump administration has imposed on Russian oil an "unfriendly act." Putin also said the U.S. sending new weapons to Ukraine would have a "serious response.