EU & world leaders: sanction Putin over war in Ukraine

On February 24th Vladimir Putin brought large-scale war back to Europe, spilling blood of innocent Ukrainians.

Western powers have placed sanctions on Russia, but the measures fall short of the options available, and analysts warn they won't have much of an impact.

We call on the EU and world leaders to clearly show what side of the history they are on and immediately impose adequate sanctions to stop the war and stand together for peace, freedom and democracy:

• Ban Russia from the SWIFT financial system
• Declare Vladimir Putin a War Criminal and demand the ICC to open an investigation
• Block immediately any Russian TV channels, social media and other propaganda in each country, mobilize National Audiovisual Councils to make immediate decisions, following Estonia’s example
• Identify, as soon as possible, replacement for the Russian oil and gas, OPEC should play a key role now in identifying alternative solutions for stabilizing the market
• Reconsider all existing contracts with Gazprom
• Nordstream Pipeline 2 moved from ‘frozen’ status to canceled/annulled
• Impose total embargo on Russian exports
• Sever all diplomatic ties with the Russian Federation and recall its diplomats from Russia and expel all Russian diplomats
• Ban all Russian airlines from the EU airspace
• Freeze assets abroad of all high-net individuals linked to Putin

We call on the European Union, the U.S., United Nations and other national governments worldwide to act now to avoid uncontrollable escalations later.

* photo credit: Vadim Ghirda