YouTube blocks Russian channels RT and Sputnik across Europe

YouTube has blocked Russian channels RT and Sputnik across Europe effective immediately, due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the company said in a statement.

"We are blocking the YouTube channels of RT and Sputnik in the whole of Europe with immediate effect. Our systems need a little time before being fully operational," YouTube said in an email.

Meanwhile, the European Commission is requesting EU countries' approval to sanction RT and Sputnik by restricting their access to the European media market regardless of their distribution channel.

The sanction means that EU operators will be banned from broadcasting, facilitating or otherwise contributing to the dissemination of any RT and Sputnik content, EU industry chief Thierry Breton said.

Breton expects to get the green light from EU states later on Tuesday.