More than a hundred deputies of the European Parliament called on the EU states to impose a complete trade embargo against Russia and Belarus, including a ban on energy trade.
This is stated in the appeal of MEPs to the governing bodies of the EU and the president of France, which currently chairs the Council of the European Union, before the summit of the EU leaders in Brussels.
The MEPs note that they welcome all the unprecedented measures against Russia, which the EU has quickly adopted in recent weeks.
However, they consider them insufficient and call on the European Union to immediately and urgently strengthen the sanctions taken against the Russian Federation.
"We have signed a call for a full and immediate trade embargo against Russia and Belarus, including a ban on trade in oil, gas and coal (to circumvent sanctions)," the appeal reads.
The deputies emphasize the sanctions should not only go deeper, but also cover a broader section of Russia's leadership elite.
"We call for a broader segment of Russian officials, governors and mayors who adhere to and benefit from the current policies of the Putin regime to be included on the sanctions list," the appeal says.