Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed disappointment in the types of sanctions that have been imposed on Russia by the West.
According to him, the sanctions against Russia which target assets of authorities in foreign countries and Visa bans are a “big joke”.
“Yesterday’s sanctions were a joke. That you’re going to freeze assets of Sergey Lavrov, the Foreign Minister, and Putin in Western nations. Where are they traveling to? The people are at war, commanding their troops, and you say that they would care about traveling. You’re imposing Visa bans, and you’re freezing their assets.”
The North Tongu Member of Parliament emphasised that that current sanctions regime should not be enforced.
He said the only sanctions that would get Putin to pull the breaks on invading Ukraine, would be sanctions that would hit Russia at its nerve centre, which is, imposing restrictions on oil and gas.
“So far, all the sanctions are convenient because Europe depends on Russia for about a quarter of its oil needs, about two-thirds of its gas needs. So, they leave out oil and gas.
“Let’s not underestimate what is going on, clearly when you listen to Putin, this is just the beginning. He wants regime change. He doesn’t want to see Zelensky in charge of Ukraine,” Mr. Ablakwa said.
