Western sanctions must 'tear apart' Russia's economy, Ukraine's foreign minister says
Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (Getty Images)
Ukraine is calling for tougher sanctions against Russia to cut off its access to foreign arms technology used to manufacture weapons. Kyiv is also preparing new sanctions against Russian oligarchs, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
According to Sybiha, it is time for Ukraine's partners to use the full potential of sanction pressure. The minister stressed that new decisions should take into account the situation on the battlefield and the state of Russia's economy.
"I believe our partners' sanctions should not just be destructive. They should tear Russia's economy apart and have a rapid impact," the foreign minister said.
He explained that Russia is adapting to restrictions and finding ways to circumvent them. That is why Ukraine insists there should be no pauses between new sanctions packages and that its partners should focus on specific measures to make it harder for Russia to manufacture weapons.
As an example, Sybiha cited components from a missile used in the latest attack on Pryluky. According to him, some of the parts found were manufactured in Western countries. Ukraine showed these components to British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband during his visit.
"Components manufactured in Western countries can be found in 90% of Russia's weapons. This must stop. And there is still significant room for action in this area," the minister stressed.
Ukraine is discussing with its partners how to cut off Moscow's access to these components. At the same time, Sybiha said Russia had consulted Iran and continues to discuss ways to circumvent sanctions with Tehran.
Ukraine seeks new sanctions against Russian oligarchs
Sybiha also criticized the decision to remove Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the sanctions list. He called the move wrong and said Ukraine would push to have both businessmen placed back on the sanctions list.
In response, Kyiv is proposing sanctions against 10 more Russian oligarchs. According to the foreign minister, the list has already been prepared.
"Ukraine has already prepared such a list. I will raise this issue at the EU foreign ministers' meeting in Luxembourg this week. I will also once again call for these two names to be added back to the list," Sybiha said.
The minister added that his British counterpart, Ed Miliband, had confirmed that the UK had not lifted sanctions against the two businessmen and had no plans to do so. According to Sybiha, other Ukrainian partners outside Europe share the same position.
"This is an effective approach. By contrast, playing along with Russia and appeasement only leads the situation into a dead end," Ukraine's foreign minister concluded.
In late September, the EU extended its sanctions against Russia but removed Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman from the list.
On October 9, US President Donald Trump also announced an agreement to supply Russian diesel fuel to US and global markets. He said he had instructed the US Treasury Department to issue a temporary license allowing the supplies to begin.
