Zelensky urges closing loopholes Russia uses to circumvent sanctions

Today, the key task of Ukraine and all those who seek to have the war end as soon as possible is to increase the sanctions pressure on Russia, as well as to remove any possibility for the aggressor power to circumvent these economic restrictions.

That’s according to the latest video address Zelensky delivered Saturday, Ukrinform reports.

"Our sanctions packages are being worked out in detail, including with regard to synchronization with partners. This is one of the key common tasks for all of us – absolutely everyone who seeks a faster end to the war, a faster victory for us. The task is to remove any opportunities for Russia to circumvent sanctions. Every Russian scheme that allows them to bypass sanctions adds time to this war and adds opportunities to the aggressor," the head of Ukraine said.

The president specified that three new sanctions against those who invest in and support Russian aggression have already entered into force. First of all, this is another package targeting Russia’s military industry – enterprises providing for the terrorist army. To this list, 322 companies were added: manufacturers of weapons, components, and the like.

The other two sanctioned lists include individuals and legal entities that help Russia circumvent sanctions, hold the property of war criminals, and engage in destroying freedom both on the territory of the Russian Federation itself and on the land of Ukraine.

"Accordingly, the tougher the sanctions regime against Russia, the more restrictions against the terrorist state, against all individuals affiliated with it, against the entire Russian war economy, the sooner the aggression will end. And I thank everyone in the world who understands this," Zelensky concluded.

As reported, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia took the initiative to include the 11th package of EU sanctions switching off Gazprombank’s access to SWIFT or at least an asset freeze targeting the said bank.