European Parliament Intends to Call for Toughening Russia Sanctions

According to the European Parliament’s draft resolution, EU member states to tighten sanctions against the Russian Federation in the event of an even greater aggravation of the situation in the Sea of Azov. The resolution does not say the sanctions to be strengthened. It notes that there is a possible danger that Russia will “illegally extract gas and oil from the Ukrainian territory” and transform the Sea of Azov into an “internal lake”. The resolution also offers to appoint an EU Special Envoy for Crimea and the Donbass, whose responsibilities would also cover the Sea of Azov. Earlier, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine instructed the government to draft a law on border demarcation with Russia in the waters of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The Council justified its instruction by the existence of a threat to national security and “aggressive actions” of Russia. According to the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, after the construction of a bridge across the Kerch Strait, Russia began to obstruct the navigation of Ukrainian and international ships. Source: Radio Liberty