European Parliament adopts extending sanctions against Russia

New sanctions may affect the nuclear sector and international financial transactions.

The European Parliament agreed on a draft resolution on Ukraine. It is discussed by all political groups and will be put to the vote on Thursday, January 15. This was reported by Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, a member of the European People's Party, "Korrespondent" writes.

"In case of any further actions by Russia to destabilize Ukraine, (the European Parliament) invites the European Council to take further restrictive measures and to expand their scope affecting nuclear sector and limiting the ability of Russian companies to conduct international financial transactions", the document says.

The draft resolution notes that sanctions must be a part of a broader EU approach towards Russia.

"Maintenance, strengthening or reversibility of the restrictive measures of the EU depends on Russia ... and on the situation in Ukraine ", the document says.

The European Parliament also calls on the EU to maintain restrictive measures against the Russians and separatists responsible for the destabilization of the situation in the region, in particular, at the forthcoming meeting of the EU Council in March 2015, unless "Russia starts to fully respect and implement their commitments ...and will not change its course towards Ukraine", the draft resolution states.

In particular, it is the complete and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine, illegal armed groups, military equipment, militants and mercenaries, ensuring continuous monitoring of the Ukrainian-Russian border by a special monitoring OSCE mission, prisoner exchange, including Nadezhda Savchenko".

In addition, the European Parliament calls for a rapid and more substantial technical assistance of the European Commission to Ukraine and initiates to send consultants and experts from EU institutions in Ukraine.

It should be recalled that on September 18 the European Parliament favoured the unity strengthening of the EU position against Russia, called on to rethink ties with Russia, to abandon the concept of strategic partnership and find new harmonized approach towards this issue.