Egbert Lachaert: "Harsh sanctions on Russia"Posted on 17:02h abroad, europe, International, Chamber of Representatives by Ilse De NutteOpen VLD chairman and MP Egbert Lachaert called during the debate in the chamber to impose harsh sanctions on Russia.

Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine today. Prime Minister De Croo replied that Belgium will express support for the heaviest possible sanctions package." What we have known for weeks that could happen, happened this morning," said Egbert Lachaert. "We woke up in a new Europe. A Europe that we knew as peaceful for decades is today the scene of a conflict in which an independent and sovereign country is invaded by Russia. And let's be honest: we stand by and look at it." SanctionsAccording to Lachaert, it is therefore not enough to just express protest. Action must also be taken. "It's time to act. We must take tough action in the form of sanctions. Because if we say today that we will impose lenient sanctions, what kind of signal are we sending to Russia?" These sanctions are quite economic in nature, and should hit Putin's entourage hard. Prime Minister De Croo replied that Belgium is indeed in favour of such sanctions." The European Union will impose the strictest sanctions packer in its history," said Prime Minister De Croo. "If we don't, Putin won't stop after subjugating Ukraine." MilitaryAccording to Lachaert, more needs to be done than just sanctions. A number of steps must also be taken militarily. "There are still countries in Eastern Europe with a Russian minority and a history in the Soviet Union. Some of those countries are in NATO and the EU and are also worried." Lachaert believes that Europe should increase its military presence in these countries. "We have to give Russia the signal that a land border is a land border. And that also means that we as Europe are finally able to pursue a common and solidarity-based security and defence policy against an aggressor like Russia." During the European summit tonight, According to Egbert Lachaert, Belgium should hit the table hard. HumanitarianEgbert Lachaert also emphasized that Belgium's responsibility can go even further. After all, Ukraine will need a lot of help in the coming days and weeks." We need to help where we can help. We have to send all the necessary material, of course without it falling into the hands of the aggressor. But we must also help the people living in Ukraine. And that both logistically and diplomatically, but also politically. After all, the chance that people will be wrongly convicted is high, and we have to help those people."