Every missile fired by Russian invaders has its price, sanctions must expand steadily - Zelensky

This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video address to the nation, released on Friday, March 18, Ukrinform reports.

"We are discussing the next package of sanctions against Russia. They’re significant enough. That’s to make them feel that every missile launched on our state, every bomb dropped, and every shot fired have their price. For the Russian budget, for Russian companies, for Russian ambitions, and for specific persons representing the Russian government. And until there is peace in Ukraine, sanctions against Russia must expand steadily," Zelensky said.

The president expressed gratitude to those pushing public initiatives from around the world offering restrictions for Russia not only at the state level but also at the level of societies. In particular, he thanked the Swedish Port Workers' Union, which promises not to service vessels affiliated with Russia.

In his opinion, this is a right and good example for all non-government organizations, trade unions, and business associations to follow.

"If we don't stop Russia now, if we don't punish Russia now, other aggressors around the world will unleash other wars, in different regions of the world, on different continents, wherever there’s a state actor dreaming of conquering its neighbors. We need to act now so that all other potential aggressors see that the war will only bring loss and no benefit," the head of state stressed.

In this context, Zelensky stressed the need for all Europeans to block their seaports for all Russian vessels.

"That’s so that all Russian commercial vessels are told what the Russian warship has been," Zelensky said, referring to an explicit phrase that has long gone viral.

The president also considers it necessary that all Western companies leave the Russian market and "do not cover their thirst for profit with cheap PR despite blood being shed, despite war crimes being committed," as Nestle or Auchan do.

As reported, Russian President Putin declared war on Ukraine on February 24, launching a large-scale invasion. Russian troops have been shelling and bombarding infrastructure facilities, targeting residential areas of Ukrainian cities and towns in artillery, rocket, and missile fire.

Martial law was imposed in Ukraine and general mobilization was announced.