Putin took no steps to keep his promises - Ukraine's FM urges allies to increase pressure on Russia

The Russian leader Vladimir Putin has not only failed to fulfill any of his promises but has also continued massive attacks on Ukraine.

Sybiha listed all of Putin’s promises to US President Donald Trump over the past six months:

• To stop the killings, restore diplomacy, and end the war;
• To present concrete steps toward peace in Istanbul;
• To hold a leaders’ meeting to advance peace.

"He took no steps to keep his promises," the Foreign Minister emphasized.

Instead, Russia has:

• Refused to cease fire and intensified terror against Ukraine.

• Continued issuing ultimatums and simulating diplomacy.

• Continued refusing to hold a leaders’ meeting.

• Carried out horrific terrorist attacks against civilians.

• Struck a missile at the Ukrainian government.

• Invaded the airspace of Poland and Romania using drones.

The need for international pressure

"Putin cannot be allowed to continue acting with a sense of total impunity. We once again urge all of our European allies, the United States, the Group of Seven, and others to apply maximum pressure on Moscow without delay," Sybiha said.

He added that Ukraine supports all efforts aimed at stopping the financing of the war and depriving Russia’s military machine of resources.

"They can and should be coordinated steps from both sides of the Atlantic. But they must be taken now, not later," Sybiha stressed.

The minister noted that the Russian economy is already in a poor state. According to him, "serious additional pressure will make Putin realize that continuing the war endangers his regime and him personally."

"Let’s end this war by ending the financing for the Russian war machine," Sybiha urged.

The European Commission was expected to present the 19th sanctions package against Russia on September 17, aimed primarily at restricting Russia’s energy sector.

Later, Western media reported that the EU delayed the presentation of the 19th sanctions package against Russia, linked to Donald Trump’s pressure on Slovakia and Hungary to refuse Russian energy supplies.

The day before, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said European countries must stop buying Russian oil and gas if they want Washington to strengthen sanctions against Moscow.

The media also reported that Italy and the US agreed to deepen energy ties, including increasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies.