Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the international community to strengthen sanctions on Russia, saying they are important tools to curb the Moscow war machine.
“Sanctions should be one of the most important priorities now – the world's sanctions on Russia,” Zelensky said in his evening video address on Sunday.
After his recently signed decree aligned Ukraine's sanctions policy with those signed by international allies, including the EU and the G7. Zelensky also announced plans to impose EU sanctions on Iran.
Although the EU failed to approve its 18th sanctions package on Friday due to Slovak opposition, Zelensky called for new efforts.
He said sanctions are “a chance to truly limit Russia’s strategic development, and its potential should even be more painfully limited to Russia’s ability to continue this war every day against our independence.”
EU sanctions are mainly targeted at the Russian economy. They aim to deprive the country of financial means to continue the war of aggression against Ukraine.
Russia, on the other hand, often stressed that it has adapted its economy to punitive measures. It also evades restrictions with the help of other countries and greatly expands its weapons production.
