Zelenskyy responds to Trump's ultimatum on Europe and Russia sanctions
Photo: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine expects Europe and the US to strengthen sanctions against Russia, with delays slowing pressure on Moscow.
This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with journalists on September 19.
According to him, Ukraine anticipates sanctions against Russia if there is no leaders’ meeting or, for example, no ceasefire. However, this depends on the willingness of the parties involved.
"If the war continues and there are no moves toward peace, we expect sanctions. This is the second topic I will raise in my meeting with President Trump. President Trump expects strong steps from Europe. I shared my opinion: it seems to me that we are losing a lot of time if we wait, do not impose sanctions, or do not take the actions we expect from him," Zelenskyy said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine supports Europe imposing sanctions and tightening tariff policies against countries that purchase energy resources from Russia. However, as the president said, "tying all this up only slows down the pressure on Putin."
Position on China
Zelenskyy also commented on US President Donald Trump's statements regarding Europe and China. According to him, Trump wanted to "take steps toward winter," in line with Europe’s approach.
"We support his position on our side. We are also working with European countries so that they increasingly reject Russian energy resources. But ensuring this is a very complex process. The main thing is the result," he emphasized.
Zelenskyy believes that if Trump takes serious steps, he will push some European countries engaged in energy dealings with Russia to follow suit.
"We believe, for example, that the Slovaks will move closer to this. Everyone is looking at the United States, in my opinion. Orban cannot remain alone. And it's not just Orban or Hungary. Hungary and Slovakia, and some other countries, also provide the infrastructure for all of this, for Russian energy resources," the president said.
Trump's ultimatum
Recently, US President Donald Trump stated that he is ready to impose "tough" sanctions on Russia, but only if all NATO countries stop purchasing Russian oil.
Later, he also called the EU sanctions against Russia insufficiently strict and urged Europe to strengthen them.
In addition, Trump said that Europe needs to "do something" with China to accelerate the end of Russia's war against Ukraine.
