EP wants sanctions against Russia extended

The European parliament (EP) has adopted a non-binding resolution asking for sanctions targeting Russia to be extended.
Source: Tanjug Friday, June 12, 2015 | 11:47

(Beta/AP, file)

The reason is the country's "actions in the conflict in Ukraine." The resolution, passed on Thursday, also calls for "unity in opposing Moscow's policy."
"The European parliament calls on EU member states to remain firm and united in their commitment to the agreed sanctions against Russia," said the document, adopted with 356 votes in favor and 83 against.

The resolution, opposed by "far-left and far-right parties" - called for relations with Russia to be "cooperative rather than confrontational in the long run" but said "trust could not be restored until Russia reversed last year's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula and fulfilled this year's Minsk peace accords concerning eastern Ukraine."

In another resolution, passed a day earlier by 494 votes to 135, with 69 abstentions, the EP said that Russia was "no longer EU's strategic partner," adding that "EU member states must maintain their unity in the context of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and its direct involvement in the war in Ukraine as an absolute priority."

Furthermore, it calls on EU countries "to refrain from bilateral deals with Russia which could harm this unity - to ensure solidarity amongst the member states, a robust, rules-based European Energy Union should be created swiftly."

The resolution also urges the European Commission "to propose legislation ensuring the full transparency of political funding and financing of political parties in the EU by stakeholders outside it."