OMM Newsroom
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the European Union on Friday not to ease sanctions against Russia, calling for a strong 22nd sanctions package from the bloc’s 27 member states.
Speaking on the second day of an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels, Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin was seeking to prolong the war in Ukraine into next year and that Europe should be prepared.
“I urge you not to ease sanctions against Russia or anyone linked to it. Putin uses every trick he can find to get money for making more weapons,” Zelenskyy said. He warned that easing restrictions could encourage others to take advantage.
Zelenskyy calls for sanctions and air defence support
Zelenskyy said a diesel deal between the United States and Russia would not offset the impact of the situation in the Strait of Hormuz on global markets, but would instead put more money into Putin’s hands to fund the war.
He called for sanctions on everyone involved in producing Russian ballistic missiles, advanced communications systems and drones. Zelenskyy said the war would cost Ukraine €155 billion next year and that it needed at least €70 billion more for spending, including defence purchases.
He also urged European leaders to address frozen Russian assets and use every opportunity to strengthen air defence. He called for a winter package of 300 Patriot interceptors to counter Russian ballistic missiles.
Ukraine’s EU accession process
Zelenskyy said four EU accession clusters had opened for Ukraine this year and called for the remaining two to be opened by the end of the year. He urged the EU to keep Ukraine’s and Moldova’s membership processes tied together.
He said Russia sought to undermine European unity, adding that European countries needed a security system capable of dealing with current threats. Zelenskyy said efforts to stop Putin’s war were intended to provide security guarantees for all of Europe and prevent the conflict from being passed on to future generations.
Zelenskyy thanked those supporting Ukraine and those working to keep Europe and the United States together. He said Putin would respond to Washington if it increased pressure and made clear that he must choose peace or lose access to money for the war.
Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels on Thursday for the European Council summit and a series of meetings on its sidelines. On Friday, he met the presidents of the European Council and European Commission, as well as the prime ministers of Hungary, Finland and Sweden.
On Thursday, he met French President Emmanuel Macron, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Belgian King Philippe and the prime ministers of Belgium, Denmark and Poland.
