An Austrian MP has called for the EU to impose sanctions on Ukrainian oligarchs, who he claims are the real culprits behind the military conflict between Kiev and Moscow. Martin Graf described the bloc’s current policy on Ukraine deeply flawed.
“I demand that the EU authorities impose sanctions on Ukrainian oligarchs: Seize their yachts, assets and other property and use these funds to help Ukrainian refugees and to offset the losses suffered by the EU citizens due to sanctions [on Russia],” he wrote in a lengthy post on Facebook on Monday, which featured excerpts from a recent interview.
Graf, who represents the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPO), claimed the oligarchs had “sucked Ukraine dry” and “consistently funded” regime changes in Kiev with little regard for the consequences of political turmoil on the country’s economy and society.
He said these same people, who had “bought” the right to do as they please, are now funding Ukrainian nationalists and illegal armed groups. The MP added that the oligarchs had “lost touch with reality” and “led Ukraine into war.”