Ukraine to Vote on Russia Oil and Gas Transit Ban

Ukrainian lawmakers are set to consider tough sanctions on Russia that could dramatically reduce transfers of Russian gas and oil to Europe.

Ukraine's parliament will vote on a cabinet-approved bill on Tuesday that could stop Russian firms transporting oil and gas to Europe through the Ukraine's pipeline network.

The European Union relies on Russia for around a third of its gas, about half of which travels through the Ukraine.

Russia slapped a wide-ranging ban on food imports from the EU, US and other countries that imposed economic sanctions on Moscow in early August.

It has also targeted Ukraine since it annexed the Crimea peninsula from its neighbour, banning chocolate, juice and dairy imports.

Moreover, Russia's state-owned gas natural gas producer Gazprom halted gas deliveries to Kiev in June, after a long-running dispute over gas prices.

Ukraine's prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said in early August that Kiev may impose a "complete or partial" ban on energy shipments, and it may also block Russian airlines from Ukrainian airspace.

For its part, Russia has threatened to impose a new wave of sanctions against Ukraine if the country's parliament votes for the ban.

Separatist Insurgency

Pro-Russian rebels that continue to occupy cities in eastern Ukraine called for a ceasefire to hostilities, but their offer was rejected outright by the Ukrainian military.

"If there's an initiative, it should be implemented by practical means, not only with words: by raising white flags and putting down weapons," said Andriy Lysenko, a military spokesman.

"In that case, no one will shoot at them," he added.

Ukraine has struggled to remove separatists from the key cities of Donetsk and Luhansk. Along with the US, Kiev has accused Moscow of supporting the rebels with arms and manpower.