There was no total break between Western countries and Russia

By imposing sanctions, Western countries have not completely severed relations with the aggressor country.

This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with The New York Times, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“When you sanction Russian business and remove it from the market, it is a sanction that works one hundred percent,” Zelenskyy said.

According to him, then “you can predict what will happen to the Russian economy.” Instead, the sanctions' policy has found many opportunities for Russia to continue economic ties with the West.

“If you freeze their capital, how does frozen capital in the EU help European society? It doesn't. Do they use this money? No. But they do not transfer this money to Ukraine. Why? Because it would be a total breakdown of economic relations with the Russian Federation,” Zelenskyy said.

The same, according to the President, is true of embassies.

“Have all countries closed their embassies? No. Have all sent Russian diplomats home? No. Some diplomats have been sent. It is indicative. But there is more theater than reality in this,” Zelenskyy said, adding that ‘with Russia, everyone leaves the door a little open,’ just in case.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 27/05/2024