Ukraine's President Urges Stronger Sanctions on Russia's Military Industry
Volodymyr Zelensky has signaled that Kyiv anticipates fresh sanctions from its allies aimed at ratcheting up pressure on Russia's defense sector. Speaking after a coordination session involving intelligence agencies, the Foreign Ministry, and special services, he noted that Moscow is still obtaining key weapons components from Western sources, making tighter restrictions all the more urgent. The latest remarks echo Ukraine's broader campaign to keep sanctions high on the international agenda as the war continues.
'In addition to kinetic sanctions - our long-range strikes - we are also active on every other sanctions front,' Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian leader added that the meeting was used to determine when and from which partners new sanctions packages can be expected, and whether those measures would meaningfully curb Russia's military capabilities. He stressed that each new restriction brings the region closer to peace and helps save lives.
EU Prepares Substantial New Sanctions Package
The European Union is planning to unveil a fresh sanctions package in the autumn. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas described it as the most extensive set of measures since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. If approved, the total number of sanctioned Russian individuals, businesses, and organizations would grow by one-third.
Kallas also pointed out that existing international restrictions have already cost Russia's economy more than €1 trillion. The upcoming package is intended to intensify economic and political pressure on Moscow until it fully ends its aggression against Ukraine. Zelensky highlighted that 'some items essential to Russia's aggression are still being delivered to Russia even from countries in the G7, which certainly have no interest in Putin prolonging the war or escalating the scale of his strikes.'
He called on all partners to recognize how every sanctions decision contributes to ending the war and saving lives. Ukraine, he said, will continue working across all possible channels to maximize the impact of international pressure on the aggressor.
Sanctions and close coordination with allies remain central to Ukraine's strategy against the invasion. With the EU's next package expected to add significant economic pressure, the effectiveness of these measures depends heavily on maintaining broad international unity and follow-through. The actions of Western partners in the coming months could play a decisive role in shaping the conflict's trajectory and the prospects for peace.