Ukraine is preparing to submit proposals on a new package of sanctions against Russia to the European Union next week.
A previously unreported Ukrainian white paper to be presented to the EU calls for the 27-member bloc to take a more aggressive and independent position on sanctions as uncertainty hangs over Washington’s future role, Ukrinform reports, citing Reuters.
Among 40 pages of recommendations were calls to adopt legislation that would speed up the EU’s seizure of assets from sanctioned individuals, and send them to Ukraine. Those under sanctions could then seek compensation from Russia.
The EU should consider a range of steps to make its sanctions apply more forcefully beyond its own territory, including targeting foreign companies that use its technology to help Russia, and “the introduction of secondary sanctions on purchasers of Russian oil”.
Such secondary sanctions, which could hit big buyers such as India and China, would be a major step that Europe has so far been reluctant to take. Trump had publicly discussed this before taking the decision not to act for now.
The white paper also calls for the EU to consider using more majority-rules decision making over sanctions, to prevent individual member states from blocking measures that otherwise require unanimity.
Trump has shown reluctance to impose new sanctions on Russia following his latest conversation with Vladimir Putin, despite calls from Kyiv and European allies.
Meanwhile, both the EU and the United Kingdom have introduced additional sanctions against Russia and expressed hope for continued coordination with the United States.
Source: Ukraine urges EU to impose tougher sanctions on Russia – Reuters
