Zelensky sees sanctions against Moscow as a priority

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urges the international community to intensify sanctions against Russia, calling them a vital tool to brake the Moscow war machine.

“Sanctions should now be one of the most important priorities – world sanctions against Russia,” Zelensky said in his evening speech on Sunday.

The remarks followed his recent signature of a decree aligning Ukraine’s sanctions policy with that of its international allies, including the European Union and the G7. Zelensky has also announced its intention to adopt EU sanctions against Iran.

Despite the EU failure on Friday to approve his 18th package of sanctions due to the opposition of Slovakia, Zelensky called for a renewed effort.

The sanctions, he said, are something “that really limits Russia’s strategic development opportunities, its potential, and should still limit Russia’s ability to continue this war, the war against our independence, every day”.

EU sanctions are mainly directed against the Russian economy. They aim to deprive the country of financial means to continue its war of aggression against Ukraine.

Russia, on the other hand, often stresses that it has adapted its economy to punitive measures. He also bypassing restrictions using other countries and has considerably widened his production of weapons.