Zelensky insists on introducing new package of Russia sanctions in view of nuclear blackmail
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine insists on the introduction of another package of sanctions against Russia in response to the actions of the Russian military at the captured Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, posing threats to its safe operations.
Zelensky stated this in a video address to the 26th annual Forum 2000 in Prague, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
The head of state noted that today Russia is threatening Ukraine and Europe with a nuclear disaster, setting up terror at the Zaporizhia NPP.
"Russia is a terrorist state and its capability to continue aggression must be completely destroyed. Therefore, a new package of sanctions is needed in response to their nuclear blackmail, in particular, against Rosatom (nuclear operator - ed.), Zelensky said.
He emphasized that any aggressor power in the world should realize what sanctions will be imposed on them and what cost it will entail if they unleash a war.
The president also emphasized the need to completely block the aggressor power’s banking system, since its banks are still operating in the international banking system, and to introduce an embargo on Russian oil and gas, so that "Russia loses the opportunity to receive profits off its energy sources."
At the same time, Zelensky noted Ukraine’s joining the European power grids and the start of power sales to the EU, noting that the cost is the lowest on the EU market. According to the president, this will limit the increase in electricity prices for EU consumers.
The president also recalled that today is the 189th day of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people for their freedom and the democratic world in general.
"Ukraine today is the field of a decisive battle for freedom," Zelensky emphasized.
He recalled that the front line, along which active hostilities continue, stretches for more than 1,300 km, and Russia is conducting active hostilities along this entire length.
"Russia is throwing everything it has to the front, employing its huge stockpiles of weapons left over from the Soviet period," Zelensky said, adding that the invaders do not comply with the prohibitions laid down by international conventions or elementary humanity, shelling Ukrainian cities with artillery and missiles every day .
"Europe has not seen the terror that the Russian occupiers are resorting to since World War 2," the head of state said.
At the same time, Zelensky noted that the fight continues on several levels – from the frontiers on the battlefield, where Ukrainian defenders hold the occupiers back, to the political frontiers, where Ukraine is making efforts to integrate into the EU, has received the status of a candidate for the EU accession, and is carrying out the necessary procedures to acquire full membership.
Zelensky thanked the Czech Republic and all partner countries for their help in the fight against the Russian aggressor and emphasized the importance of further support for Ukraine’s victory and the restoration of its sovereignty and territorial integrity and peace in Europe.
As reported, Forum 2000 is a fund and conference of the same name, which is held annually in Prague. The Forum 2000 Foundation was founded in 1996 as a joint initiative of the first President of the Czech Republic (1993-2003) Vaclav Havel, the Japanese philanthropist Yohei Sasakawa, as well as the American writer, journalist and 1986 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Elie Wiesel. The goals of Forum 2000 are to support the values of democracy and respect for human rights, promote the development of civil society, and encourage religious, cultural and ethnic tolerance.