Zelenskyy fires back at Trump’s sanctions call to NATO: What he says
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy supported US President Donald Trump’s call for NATO countries to stop purchasing Russian oil. At the same time, he criticized the US President regarding sanctions and the war in Ukraine, according to Zelenskyy’s evening address.
The President of Ukraine emphasized that it is very important to maintain and increase pressure on Russia in all jurisdictions, and “one of the key targets of our actions is Russian trade in oil” and other energy resources.
“Sanctions, and our proposed sanctions form the basis of partners’ decisions, are aimed at the entire shadow fleet infrastructure: against tanker captains, against insurers, against market operators who trade with Russia," Zelenskyy said.
The President of Ukraine added that consumption of Russian oil must be reduced, which in turn will certainly limit Russia’s ability to wage war.
The Head of State noted that much is being done, and the most effective measures are long-range actions and the precision of Ukrainian forces: “Sanctions that work the fastest are the strikes of our warriors.”
President Zelensky expressed gratitude to all partners who consciously limit purchases of Russian energy resources. He noted that over the years of war, Europe has moved from near-total dependence on Russian energy, primarily gas, to a more autonomous system with diverse suppliers.
At the same time, the Ukrainian President supported Trump’s call for NATO countries to stop buying Russian oil but stressed that everyone must take steps to end the war.
“We see the position of the United States, and this position should be heard by everyone who still chooses supplies from Russia rather than from other partners. Everyone who seeks the end of this war must do what is necessary to stop Russia’s war machine,” Zelenskyy said.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian President seemed to take issue with Trump’s comment that the war in Ukraine is allegedly “Biden’s and Zelenskyy’s war.”
“This is only Russia’s war, Putin’s war,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
What precedes this
Today, US President Donald Trump stated that the United States is ready to impose “major” sanctions on Russia, provided that all NATO countries stop buying Russian oil.
“I am ready to impose serious sanctions on Russia when all NATO countries do the same, and when all NATO countries stop buying oil from Russia,” Trump stated.
He added that purchasing oil significantly weakens the negotiating position and leverage regarding Russia.
