Parliament discusses weapons sanctions against Russia

But crippling Russian gas exports through sanctions would be more complicated

Russia’s venture into Ukraine should have serious consequences, according to a number of political parties in parliament who want to ban the export of weapons to Russia.

Holger K Nielsen, the foreign affairs spokesperson for SF, blasted France for recently selling two aircraft carriers to Russia for ten billion kroner.

“I think they should consider ending the export of military equipment to Russia,” Nielsen told Jyllands-Posten.

“It’s odd that France sold large warships to Russia now, and they should investigate whether there is Russian capital in the European defence industry.”

READ MORE: Opposition calls for rearming against Russia

Opposition want gas sanctions
Socialdemokraterne, Venstre and Konservative all agreed with Nielsen, with the latter two parties wanting to go as far as looking into the possibility of shutting down Russian gas exports into Europe. Martin Lidegaard (R), the foreign minister, wouldn’t eliminate the weapons option.

“A weapons embargo has been discussed. You have to be aware that Russia is a huge weapons exporter, but that doesn’t mean that it wouldn’t have some effect,” Lidegaard said.

The foreign minister pointed out that crippling Russian gas exports through sanctions would be a more complicated endeavour.

The news comes a day after Lene Espersen, the foreign affairs spokesperson of Konservative, called for Danish warships to be equipped with missile defence in order to defend the Baltic Sea against a potential Russian advance into the Baltic region.




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