Parliament demands significantly tighter EU sanctions against Russia 

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Plenary session 
AFET 
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  • Sanction Russian officials involved in the decision to imprison Alexei Navalny as well as President Putin’s inner circle 
  • Russian wealth of unclear origin should not be welcome in the EU 
  • Work to complete the Nord Stream 2 pipeline must be stopped immediately 
©Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP        
MEPs demand the immediate and unconditional release of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny ©Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP  

Following the recent imprisonment of Alexei Navalny, MEPs call on EU countries to significantly strengthen sanctions against Russia.

In a resolution, adopted with 581 votes in favour, 50 against and 44 abstentions, Parliament calls on EU member states to take an active stance on the arrest of Alexei Navalny and many of his followers at their next meetings and to “significantly strengthen the EU’s restrictive measures vis-à-vis Russia”. This includes sanctioning the “individuals and legal entities” involved in the decision to arrest and imprison Alexei Navalny, they say.


Sanctions should also be imposed against Russian oligarchs linked to the regime, members of President Putin’s inner circle and Russian media propagandists, who possess assets in the EU and can currently travel there. Additional restrictive measures could also be taken under the new EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.


Stop Nord Stream 2, once and for all


Following years of deteriorating relations, MEPs stress the importance of critically reviewing cooperation with Russia in various foreign policy platforms and on projects such as Nord Stream 2. They call on the EU to immediately stop the completion of the controversial pipeline. MEPs also underline that the EU should no longer be a welcoming place for Russian wealth of unclear origin.


With a view to the new administration in Washington, Parliament stresses that the EU should use this momentum to strengthen transatlantic unity in protecting democracy and fundamental values against authoritarian regimes.


The resolution finally demands the immediate and unconditional release of Alexei Navalny and of all other persons detained in relation to his return to Russia, be they journalists, members of his team or citizens showing support.


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MEPs and EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell also discussed the case of Alexei Navalny on Tuesday 19 January.

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