Parliament expresses indignation at reports of atrocities by the Russian armed forces and calls for the perpetrators of war crimes to be brought to justice.
In a resolution adopted by 513 votes to 22 and 19 abstentions on Thursday, MEPs called for additional punitive measures, including "an immediate full embargo on Russian oil, coal, nuclear fuel and gas imports."
This should be accompanied by a plan to ensure the security of energy supply to the EU. There is also a need for a strategy of "lifting sanctions if Russia takes steps to restore Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and complete removal of troops from Ukrainian territory."
Exclude Russia from the G20 and other multilateral organizations
The existing sanctions must now be fully and effectively implemented across the EU as well as by the EU's international allies. MEPs call on EU leaders to exclude Russia from the G20 and other multilateral organizations such as the UNHRC, Interpol, World Trade Organization, UNESCO and others. "It would be an important signal that the international community will not return to normal business with the aggressor state."
To make the sanctions more effective, Parliament calls for Russian banks to be excluded from the SWIFT system. MEPs call for a ban on all ships connected to Russia from entering EU waters and docking in EU ports. Road transport of goods to and from Russia and Belarus is to be prohibited. MEPs also demand the seizure of "all property belonging to Russian officials or oligarchs linked to the Putin regime. Also seizure of the property of their agents and assistants, including those in Belarus associated with the Lukashenka regime. "
The resolution demands that the sanctions imposed on Belarus should follow those imposed on Russia
Pointing to Belarus's involvement in war in Ukraine, the resolution demands that the sanctions imposed on Belarus mimic those imposed on Russia. All this to close any loopholes that would allow Putin to use Lukashenko's help to circumvent sanctions.
Weapons deliveries need to be continued and intensified
MEPs refer to the shocking atrocities "which undoubtedly count as war crimes" committed by Russian troops in Ukraine. Especially the crimes in Bucza and the total or almost total destruction of Mariupol, Wolnowach and other towns and villages. They stress that the perpetrators of war crimes must be brought to justice. They call for the establishment of a special UN tribunal for crimes in Ukraine.
Parliament reiterates that the supply of arms must be continued and intensified to enable Ukraine to defend itself effectively. MEPs support further defense aid provided to the Ukrainian armed forces individually by EU Member States and jointly through the European Peace Facility.
6,5 million Ukrainian citizens have been internally displaced, and more than 4 million have fled the country
Noting that nearly 6,5 million Ukrainian citizens have been internally displaced, and over 4 million fled the country because of the war. MEPs call for the creation of safe humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians fleeing bombings and to be reinforced.
They condemn Russian rhetoric suggesting that they could potentially use weapons of mass destruction. They emphasize that this would have the worst consequences.
Source: European Parliament
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