The European Commission will soon present a new sanctions package against Russia. In a resolution (513 in favor, 22 against, and 19 abstentions), the MEPs call for an “immediate and full embargo on Russian imports of oil, coal, nuclear fuel, and gas.”
MEPs point to the shocking atrocities, “which indisputably amount to war crimes,” committed by Russian troops in Ukraine, especially in Bucha. They emphasize that perpetrators of war crimes must be held accountable and call for the establishment of a special UN tribunal for the crimes in Ukraine.
There is only one appropriate response to Russia’s horrific mass executions of countless defenseless civilians in Bucha: tough European action. Even if it requires sacrifices from us. This is what Thijs Reuten, PvdA foreign spokesperson in the European Parliament, said. “Putin must never be allowed to win his war.”
“We must no longer be held hostage by gas. It is absurd that after 41 days of Russian atrocities, our energy imports still fund Putin’s war machine,” Reuten said.
GreenLeft MEP Bas Eickhout said about a total energy boycott: “The harsh sanctions that the EU has imposed so far and the new sanctions being prepared are unfortunately insufficient. The EU must take the drastic step to stop not only coal but all energy imports, thereby substantially weakening Putin’s war machine.
The EU member state leaders recently rejected such a complete embargo because some member states rely on Russian gas for up to three-quarters or more of their supply and cannot switch immediately. Contracts are being negotiated with other countries so that at a later stage the Russians will no longer be needed.
The Parliament reiterated that the supply of weapons must continue and be increased to enable Ukraine to defend itself effectively. This week, the Czech Republic decided to deliver T-72 tanks (of Russian manufacture!) to the Ukrainian army. MEPs support further defensive aid to the Ukrainian armed forces.