The policy should not permanently destroy business and economic ties between the European Union (EU) and Russia, MEP Nils Ushakov (S) said, explaining his vote on the suspension of Nord Stream 2.
LETA has already reported that MEPs Ushakov (S) and Andris Amerik (GKR) have voted against the inclusion of a clause on the Russian-German Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in a European Parliament (EP) resolution on the situation in Russia and the poisoning of opposition politician Alexei Navalny.
“I am a Russian politician from Latvia who works in Brussels and who Russian-speaking and Russian voters voted for in Kengarags, Bolderaja, Pļavnieki, Daugavpils or Liepāja. They know very well what it means if the authorities do not hear you and do not want to hear you,” MP, adding that Russian-speaking voters are offended that Russian-speaking politicians have not been in government for many years and remain in opposition.
As Diana Švane, Head of Ushakov’s Office in Riga, informed LETA, the politician emphasized that Parliament had adopted two resolutions – on Navalny and on Belarus. As a Russian MEP from Latvia, elected by Russian-speaking voters, it was not an easy choice for him.
Speaking about the resolution on Belarus and Alexander Lukashenko, Ushakov believes that Lukashenko has done a lot for Belarus as President. According to the politician, many, including those living in Latvia, like his leadership style, and they believe that it is not allowed to interfere in the internal affairs of neighbors.
“It’s like everyday life with the neighbors, what a difference that happens to them at home, they are adults, they will deal with them in some way. “Ushakov said, stressing that he had voted in favor of the Belarusian resolution.
The politician pointed out that the proposal to impose sanctions on people who beat women is an adequate proposal so that these people, for example, cannot have a business or a residence permit in the EU.
“In recent weeks, the Belarusian people have also proved to the whole world that they deserve to hold and participate in open and fair elections. This desire should be especially well understood by Russian-speaking citizens and even more so by non-citizens of Latvia,” the MEP emphasized.
He said he had voted against the cancellation of the World Hockey Championship in Minsk, explaining that in the current situation it was “extremely optimistic to hope for an event of this magnitude in Minsk”. According to the politician, sports should be out of sanctions, adding that he had once participated in the fight for the World Hockey Championship in Minka and Riga in 2021.
Speaking on the second resolution on the poisoning of Russia and Navalny, Ushakov emphasized that there was currently a poisoned Russian opposition politician arriving from Russia on EU territory. The MEP noted that three European laboratories had indicated the use of a poisonous war substance that “cannot be bought in a pharmacy or mixed at home”. According to him, all this is accompanied by a diplomatic conflict and “accusations that the European secret services may have poisoned Navalny”.
“No other EP resolution could have been in such a situation in the sixth year of the conflict. At the same time, we understand that the possible sanctions mentioned in the resolution may affect certain people and are in no way directed against Russia and the Russian people,” Ushakov said. majority of the members from all countries and parties represented.
Ushakov also said that it was his fair and proper choice to vote in favor of the resolution in support of the Navalny and Belarusian protesters. The politician expressed confidence that those of his supporters who “do not understand or rebuke him now” would see that it was a fair and appropriate choice for them as well.
–
