By Andrea Thomas 
 

BERLIN--German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel called for the accounts of Russian oligarchs to be frozen as part of tougher sanctions against Russia over Moscow's handling of the Ukraine crisis.

"We must hit most of all the oligarchs," Mr. Gabriel told Germany's weekly magazine Der Spiegel. "We must manage to do this next week...We must freeze their accounts in European capitals and recall their entry permits."

Mr. Gabriel, who is also economics and energy minister, said Russian politics rests on the oligarchs' shoulders. He admitted that the European economy will probably also be hit indirectly by the sanctions but he asked which consequences it would have "if Europe were to stand and watch a civil war and the death of innocent people out of fear of economic consequences."

His call comes as the European Union plans to impose sanctions targeting broad sectors of the Russian economy with a decision about details expected as early as Tuesday.

The West believes Russia isn't doing enough the help de-escalated the Ukraine crisis. The criticism intensified following the downing July 17 of a civilian passenger aircraft by what many said were pro-Russian separatists. The crash killed almost 300 people.

Write to Andrea Thomas at andrea.thomas@wsj.com