Zelenskyy: sanctions pause after the 11th EU package is too long

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the pause after the EU adopted the latest package of sanctions against Russia was too long, and such pauses increase the time of Russian aggression.

He said this in an address to the participants of the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv, according to Yevropeiska Pravda.

He emphasized that sanctions pressure on Russia is obviously not enough. According to the president, this is evident primarily in the growing number of Russian attack drones and air strikes.

"We need more joint work against all forms and schemes of Russia's circumvention of sanctions. Any supply to Russia that allows it to increase military production must stop. This is a clear interest not only of Ukraine but also of everyone in the world who wants this war to end as soon as possible," Zelenskyy said.

He also emphasized the need to intensify work on a new EU sanctions package.

"Any sanctions pauses to increase the time of Russian aggression, and the pause after the 11th sanctions package has already dragged on too long," Zelensky said.

In particular, he said, sanctions against the Russian nuclear industry are needed - both for what Russia is doing at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and as a security step against the use of dubious Russian nuclear technologies.

"It is also important to expand sanctions against Iran in sensitive industries, in particular on the import of equipment and chemicals. Every Iranian attack drone that strikes European cities in Ukraine is a reason for sanctions pressure," Zelensky added.

Author - Olena Madiak, 02/10/2023