EU Parliament calls for sanctions against Russian energy firms

BRUSSELS, April 17 (KUNA) -- The EU must step up sanctions targeting individual Russians and be ready to impose economic sanctions on Russia immediately, the European Parliament said in a resolution on Thursday.
It also called for EU measures against Russian firms and their subsidiaries, especially in the energy sector and Russia's EU assets, noted the EP in a press release.
The resolution expressed grave concern about the fast-deteriorating situation and bloodshed in the east and south of Ukraine. It urged Russia immediately to stop supporting violent separatists and armed militias.
The EP hoped that that the four-party meeting of the EU, the US, Ukraine and Russia in Geneva today could pave the way for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
It underlined that Ukraine's future choices can be made only by the Ukrainian people themselves, through a democratic, inclusive and transparent process. Finally, the EP welcomed the Ukrainian government's intention to hold early parliamentary elections. (end) nk.nfm