Zelensky called on the EU to toughen sanctions against Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday urged the EU to impose tougher sanctions on Moscow.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU has imposed unprecedented sanctions on the Russian defense and financial sectors, restricted trade and blacklisted some 1,500 people and entities involved in the war.

However, the bloc continues to avoid sanctions in many areas, including the diamond trade between Belgium and Russia.

Recall also that Ukraine has called for sanctions against the Russian nuclear sector, but Hungary, where Russia is to expand the Paks nuclear power plant, has already said that it would veto such a decision.

“We see that the pace of European sanctions has somewhat slowed down, while the terrorist state, on the contrary, is accelerating the pace of adaptation to sanctions,” Zelensky said during a press conference with the Commission President. European, Ursula von der Leyen, who is visiting Kiev. – It is worth catching up and fixing it. We believe we can do it.”

Von der Leyen said the bloc would prepare a new sanctions package against Russia by February 24.

According to her, the oil price cap imposed by the EU and G7 partners is costing Russia 160 million euros a day. Von der Leyen also noted that another restriction will be introduced in the near future – on petroleum products.

However, EU countries have not yet agreed on price limits for this type of product. Meanwhile, Poland and the Baltic states are pushing for a lower cap, which is expected to be introduced by all G7 powers by Monday.

The Czech Republic has proposed tougher sanctions aimed at further limiting Russia’s ability to produce weapons and missiles for war.

In addition, the bloc is working to close loopholes that allow sanctions to be circumvented. These include ways to prevent them from using the territory of Belarus.