EP's Foreign Affairs Committee discusses strengthening sanctions against Russia with Ukrainian MPs

This was the focus of a joint meeting between the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee and members of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada, reported by an Ukrinform correspondent.

Oleksandr Merezhko, Chair of the Rada's Committee on Foreign Policy and Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation, highlighted key sectors to target, including: metallurgy, nuclear, and chemical industries; restrictions on Rosatom's activities, a ban on EU airspace for passenger flights between Russia and third countries, embargoes on Russian grain, fertilizers, and raw materials such as uranium, titanium, nickel, chromium, oil, and gas.

"The goal of sanctions is to paralyze the Russian war machine," Merezhko emphasized, urging Europe to adopt secondary sanctions to make trade with Russia "toxic" for countries like China and India.

He also pointed out that Russia has learned to bypass existing EU sanctions by using third countries.

MEP Michael Gahler (European People’s Party) noted that Ukraine would be in a stronger position if all proposed measures were implemented. He suggested adding potash to the sanctions list, asserting that Europe could manage without Russian fertilizers, as alternative suppliers are available.

Raphaël Glucksmann (Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats) urged the closure of loopholes that allow Russia to evade sanctions. He emphasized the need to monitor the activities of companies, particularly Chinese firms and others operating in Europe, that assist Russia in circumventing restrictions.

As reported earlier by Ukrinform, the White House has also announced upcoming U.S. sanctions against Russia.