Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that easing sanctions against Russia does not reflect the real situation in the war and diplomacy. According to him, it fuels the illusion within Russia’s leadership that the war can continue.
Zelenskyy said that in just one week, Russian forces launched more than 2,360 attack drones, over 1,320 guided aerial bombs, and nearly 60 missiles of various types at Ukrainian cities and communities.
He stressed that every dollar earned by Russia from oil sales goes toward financing the war.
According to him, more than 110 tankers of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet are currently at sea, carrying over 12 million tons of oil, which, due to eased sanctions, can be sold without consequences.
This amounts to about $10 billion, which, Zelenskyy said, is directly converted into new strikes against Ukraine.
He emphasized that it is important to stop Russian tankers rather than allow them to deliver oil to ports, and to reduce the aggressor’s oil exports.
Zelenskyy added that Ukraine’s long-range sanctions continue to work in this direction, and thanked Ukrainian soldiers for their accuracy as well as partners for helping increase pressure on Russia.