Brussels: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday praised the new US sanctions imposed on Russia's energy sector, describing them as a "strong and much needed message" that supports continued pressure on Moscow.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Zelensky expressed his approval while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels. He stated, "We waited for this. God bless it will work and this is very important," highlighting that Washington's actions send a positive signal to other countries to join the sanctions. The Ukrainian President also shared his thoughts on X before attending the summit, emphasizing that the sanctions against Russia's oil giants convey a clear message that prolonging the war and spreading terror will incur consequences. He termed it a fair and well-deserved measure.
Zelensky further remarked that sustained pressure on Russia, with sanctions as a crucial tool, is the only effective path to peace. He expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump and his team for their decisive actions, reaffirming that seeking a just and lasting peace has no alternative.
The sanctions, announced by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, target Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. Trump expressed frustration that his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin to resolve the Ukraine conflict had been unproductive.