MEPs ready to apply unprecedented sanctions against Russia
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An EP delegation of nine MEPs concluded a fact-finding visit to Ukraine on Tuesday. In Kyiv, MEPs met with the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, as well as other representatives of the Ukrainian government. Earlier, the delegation traveled to Mariupol in eastern Ukraine. Before leaving the country, MEPs presented their preliminary conclusions to the media at a press conference.
"We are ready and we have already started to create conditions for the diplomatic path of de-escalation of the conflict because one thing is certain that Ukraine does not want war, but we are also ready to apply unprecedented sanctions if Russia invades Ukraine by armed forces," Nathalie Loiseau, the chairman of the Security Subcommittee and Defense EP, emphasized.
The MEP said Ukraine was under pressure from Russia – militarily, economically, and psychologically – but Ukraine "has many friends" while Russia chooses isolation.
"At a time when mass disinformation is spreading from Russia towards Ukraine, we would like to emphasize that there is unity in the European Union and transatlantic unity for the sake of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," Loiseau said.
