STRASBOURG, 15 Sep. MEP from Lithuania Petras Austrevicius proposed to impose sanctions against the Europeans who will observe the Duma elections in Crimea, a source in the EP told RIA Novosti. This amendment appeared in the draft report on relations with Russia.
“EU member states should take all possible measures to prevent their citizens from participating as independent observers in the parliamentary elections of 2021 in occupied Crimea, which are illegally organized by Russia. In this context, the European Parliament and national parliaments should avoid and impose sanctions against actions that could be falsely presented as foreign observation, «the text says.
As reported by Ella Pamfilova, CEC Chairperson, the parliamentary elections in Russia, which will take place on September 17-19, will be attended by 250 foreign observers representing 55 states.
The State Duma called the threat of Kiev not to recognize the elections because of the Crimea ridiculous On Monday, MEPs preliminarily agreed on a draft report on the strategy of relations with Russia. He calls on the EU to expand sanctions, think about strengthening its defense potential to contain Moscow, develop a strategy to minimize dependence on Russian energy resources and metals, and prepare for non-recognition of the results of the parliamentary elections in Russia, «if they are found to be dishonest and held in violation of democratic principles.» A vote on the draft is to take place today, and its results will be announced on Thursday. Regardless of the outcome, the document will not become binding legislation. The reports are considered a recommendation for the European Commission, EU Council, foreign policy service and member countries. Commenting on the project, State Duma deputy Ruslan Balbek told RIA Novosti that the European Parliament «has become an apparatus for issuing useless recommendations.»
The OSCE PA explained the request to send 500 observers to the elections to Russia