Ukraine Welcomes American, European Sanctions on Russia

European Council decided on restrictive measures targeting Russia, with Kiev welcoming European decisions as a clear sign of support for Ukraine. Also the United States imposed sanctions on some of the country’s biggest firms, including Rosneft, Novatek and Gazprombank. 

"All Russia’s attempts to split up the European Union and not to give the possibility of coordinated actions of the EU and the U.S. have been doomed to failure", Ukraine’s Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said on Thursday, as reported in a note on the Ukrainian government’s website.

Yatsenyuk also said that the measures demonstrate “the unity of the U.S. and the EU, their commitment to the values of democracy, peace as well as support for Ukraine”. 

Milder remarks have been made by European politicians. Finland’s government pressed for a peaceful settlement of the crisis, calling on Russia to ‘use its influence to achieve a de-escalation.’ 

Similarly, the European Council reiterated European interest to pursue trilateral talks.  

‘The European Council stresses the European Union's commitment to pursue trilateral talks on the conditions of gas supply from the Russian Federation to Ukraine and commends the efforts of the Commission in that regard. Finding a swift agreement is important for the stabilisation of Ukraine's economy and for safeguarding the security of supply and transit of natural gas through Ukraine,’ reads a note released by the European Council on Wednesday.

NOVATEK: SANCTIONS WILL NOT HAVE MUCH OF AN IMPACT

‘The inclusion on the List does not impede Novatek’s operations and business activities in any jurisdiction, nor does it affect the company’s assets and listed shares. Among Novatek’s shareholders there are American citizens and major US investment funds and banks,’ the company wrote on Thursday.

According to the press release, the company’s financial position is stable and it will enable Novatek to implement its LNG projects as scheduled.