STRASBOURG, France, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- The European Parliament said Thursday it was time to consider imposing sanctions against those targeting demonstrators in Ukraine.
Ukrainian authorities were criticized for using force against protesters who in November expressed frustration with their government's decision to break off association talks with the European Union.
Protests turned deadly in January after the government enacted legislation curbing the right to protest, a measure that's since been repealed.
The European Parliament said Thursday member states "should prepare targeted sanctions, such as a travel ban and freezing the EU assets of those personally responsible for killings of Ukrainian protesters."
In terms of political developments, they issued a statement saying a "long-term package of concrete support" would be offered to a credible interim government that took the place of the current administration of embattled President Viktor Yanukovych, whose prime minister resigned last month under protest pressure.
Yanukovych said the November decision was made to protect Ukraine's economic ties with Russia.
In a separate measure, European parliamentarians said Russia needs to step back to let the Ukrainian people decide their own future.
