Ukrainian parliament approves law on Russia sanctionsAugust 14, 2014 - 16:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Ukrainian parliament approved a law on Thursday, Aug 14, to impose sanctions on Russian companies and individuals supporting and financing pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine, according to Reuters. The government has already prepared a list of 172 citizens of Russia and other countries, and of 65 Russian companies, including gas export giant Gazprom, on whom they could impose sanctions "for financing terrorism". After Thursday's vote, Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk told parliament that Ukraine had taken a historic step. "By approving the law on sanctions, we showed that the country is able to protect itself," he said. "The law should give a clear answer to any aggressor or terrorist who threatens our national security, our government and our citizens." Ukraine said on Monday that European energy companies would have to agree major contract revisions when purchasing Russian natural gas if parliament approved sanctions on Gazprom. Russia is Europe's biggest gas supplier, meeting almost a third of the region's demand, around half of which flows to European clients via Ukraine. European utility companies are worried that Ukrainian sanctions could disrupt supplies during the coming winter. On Wednesday, the Ukrainian state-owned gas company Naftogaz said the sanctions would not necessarily target Gazprom. The names of the Russian individuals and companies targeted by the sanctions will not be published until President Petro Poroshenko has signed the law into force. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |