Prime Minister Joseph Muscat speaking on CNN yesterday.

Malta is calling for tougher EU sanctions against Russia after a Malaysia Airways passenger plane was downed last week while flying over Ukrainian territory controlled by Moscow-backed separatists.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s bold stance for more direct action aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime was made as differences persisted among EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels over how firm a position to take against Europe’s leading energy supplier.

The ministers yesterday agreed to widen the list of individuals and entities targeted by asset freezes and visa bans, and to draft possible additional sanctions on access to financial services and technology, including in the energy sector, if Russia does not cooperate with an international investigation into the disaster and act to calm the separatists.

But they took no immediate additional measures, Reuters reported. They will discuss a wider target list for existing sanctions tomorrow.

Speaking during an interview on CNN during a visit to London, Dr Muscat clearly said Malta was all for increased sanctions against Russia.

“The EU certainly needs to act by the end of this week to impose further sanctions against Russia if it wants to be credible,” he told the CNN interviewer.

By his comments, Dr Muscat put Malta’s position squarely behind the hardliners wanting tough action and increased confrontation with the Russian government.

While the UK and the Netherlands are all for harsh sanctions, other big guns in the EU, particularly Germany and France, which have major commercial interests in Russia, are being far more cautious.

Sources in Brussels told Times of Malta that EU ministers are expected to approve new sanctions targeting Russian oligarchs and stop short of full-blown economic action.

Individuals set to be targeted

Diplomats said the new sanctions may include adding more businessmen close to President Putin in the list of blacklisted individuals precluded from travelling to the EU and whose assets have been frozen.

Vella called on Russia to commit to stabilisation

Such measures would still fall short of the so- called level-three sanctions that target whole economic sectors, such as defence and energy, and which could do more damage to Russia’s economy, but potentially also to Western Europe’s industries. The EU ministers will not prepare the list of names themselves but instead leave the task to EU officials in the days to come.

Meanwhile, at the ministers’ meeting, Foreign Minister George Vella called on Russia to commit towards stabilisation in east Ukraine, starting with an immediate ceasefire.

He also spoke about the situation in the Middle East, expressing deep concern at the ongoing violence and mounting death toll that included innocent Palestinian civilians. While condemning the rocket attacks from Gaza targeting Israel he called on Israel to ensure that its military response be proportionate.

He called on both sides to agree immediately on a ceasefire and stop the carnage.

In his interview on CNN, Dr Muscat also focused on the situation of irregular immigration in the south of Europe, reiterating the need for increased concrete action from the EU to help member states on the periphery.

He said Malta backed proposals for a legal migration system, with the burden shared among the 28 member states.