EU Lawmakers Call for Sanctions against Ukraine

European lawmakers called Thursday for targeted EU sanctions against the Ukraine government and those implicated in violence against pro-EU demonstrators.

A non-binding resolution said the European Union and member states should consider travel bans and asset freezes on "Ukrainian officials, legislators and oligarchs personally responsible for the attacks on and deaths of protesters".

MEPs said they also wanted the EU to provide financial support for Ukraine and in another resolution, urged Ukraine's Soviet-era master Russia to respect the country's right to decide its own future.

A spokeswoman for EU foreign affairs head Catherine Ashton, just back from another visit to Kiev, said the bloc was not looking at sanctions for the moment and was focusing instead on the need for political dialogue.

EU foreign ministers will discuss Ukraine at a meeting on Monday, the spokeswoman added.

There has been speculation the West could impose sanctions against Ukraine over its handling of the protests, sparked when President Viktor Yanukovych ditched an EU association accord in November under Russian pressure.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele told Parliament Wednesday that if the current impasse could be resolved under a new government and elections held, the EU would be ready to extend assistance in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and other global actors.

Ukraine's political crisis has weakened its already struggling economy, with government finances stretched and promised aid worth billions from Russia hanging in the balance.