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| EU parliamentarian Michael Galer (Image: Deutsche Welle) |
EU continues its talks and consultations regarding the possibility of
imposing personal sanctions against some Ukrainian high officials representing
the current government or affiliated with it, stated EU parliamentarian and
member of European Parliament’s Committee for Foreign Affairs Michael Galer in
his interview with Deutsche Welle. Though not all the information will be
currently revealed due to the sensitivity of the issue and ongoing investigations,
added politician.
Commenting US talks regarding the possible sanctions against Ukrainian
authorities Mr. Galer declared that EU is willing to support those in Ukraine
who wants to direct the country to Europe and European and democratic values.
In addition to that, European Parliament and competent taxation and security
services are holding the investigations over the financial assets of some
Ukrainian high officials and members of their families in order to define the
sources of these funds and their legality as EU officials suspect a lot of
these financial assets have been gained through corruption schemes. But the
information about these investigations and their results will be revealed
later, after special examining will be conducted in Austria, Cyprus, Great
Britain, Germany and other European countries where these officials save their
funds.
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| Special security forces "Berkut" clashes with the protesters (Image: Olena Bilozerska) |
Mr. Galer also slammed Ukrainian authorities for the recent violent
crackdown on the peaceful protests and further attacks and repressions against
the journalists and activists claiming that these incidents are systematic and
government is responsible for them as it should be responsible for the
situation in the country.
Thus EU representative stated that the issue of the personal political
and financial sanctions against some Ukrainian high officials connected to the
Yanukovich’s regime could be possible imposed, as this option is being actively
discussed. These sanctions could also affect the current President Victor
Yanukovich and members of his family as well, as this family became extremely
rich during very short period of time, and it should be also investigated,
added EU parliamentarian.
Meanwhile US Senate is holding the special meeting regarding the current
political situation in Ukraine amid the fresh clashes erupted on Friday, 10
January, in Kyiv between the peaceful protesters and special security forces.
Victoria Nuland is expected to report on the issue. This meeting is being held
also after the recent meeting of US Senate members with the representatives of
Ukrainian Diaspora in US demanding the sanctions to be imposed against
Ukrainian regime. US also considers the possibility of imposing the personal
sanctions against Ukrainian high officials and members of their families, so this
issue remains on the table and after the current clashes this scenario became
more possible.
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| Protesters being chased by security forces (Image: Olena Bilozerska) |
On Friday, 10 January, several hundreds of peaceful protesters have
gathered in front of the court building where three activists are being tried.
The detainees received 6 years in prison. Protesters have surrounded the building
and prevented the judge from leaving the court demanding the explanation and
cancelling the decision. Several troops of special security forces “Berkut”
have been deployed in the area where they’ve clashed with the protesters
violently beating them and arresting some activists. Clashes continued during several hours as many
activists from the Independence Square and also activists of Automaidan came to
support the demonstrators. Nearly 8 people have been seriously wounded, among
them one of the oppositional leaders Yury Lutsenko. The situation has calmed
currently, though the atmosphere remains tense.
Ukrainian opposition in its turn has called earlier for the National Council
– another million-man march to be held on weekend.
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