KIEV, Aug. 14 - Parliament on Thursday approved a bill allowing President Petro Poroshenko to impose economic sanctions against Russia, including potentially banning transit of its natural gas to Europe.

The bill, backed by 244 lawmakers in the 450-seat Parliament, was approved in the final reading.

The bill was drafted by the government in response to Moscow’s alleged involvement in efforts to destabilize Ukraine’s eastern regions through supply of militants and weapons across the border.