Zelensky: World must respond with sanctions to attempted ‘ruble occupation’ of southern Ukraine

18.04.2022 02:33

Ukrinform

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is convinced that the democratic world must react to what the Russian invaders are doing in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.

“The democratic world must also react to what the occupiers are doing in the south of Ukraine – in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions. Torture chambers are built there. They abduct representatives of local authorities and anyone deemed visible to local communities. They blackmail teachers. They steal money provided for paying pensions. Humanitarian aid is blocked and stolen. They create starvation,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his video address.

As the President noted, “the occupiers are also trying to tear off Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, following the example of the so-called ‘DPR’ and ‘LPR’. This territory is being transferred to the ruble zone and subordinated to the administrative machine of Russia.”

“All this requires greater speed from Western countries in preparing a new powerful package of sanctions. The answer to the attempted ‘ruble occupation’ of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions must be full coverage of the Russian banking and financial systems by sanctions. Because they are part of the occupation machine,” Zelensky stressed.

The need for an embargo on oil supplies from Russia is growing every day, he added.

“Everyone in Europe and America already sees Russia openly using energy to destabilize Western societies. Russia's bet on chaos in fuel markets should not succeed,” the President said.

Zelensky also addressed those who are fighting for Ukraine in the cities and communities of the south, who protect the national symbols and freedom. “Every manifestation of such a struggle makes it difficult for the occupiers to carry out their task. Sabotage the orders of the occupiers. Do not cooperate with them. Protest. It is necessary to hold on so that Russia does not manage to distort life in other cities of Ukraine, like it did in Donetsk and Luhansk,” the Head of State stressed.

On February 24, Russia started a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops shell and destroy key critical and civilian infrastructure, killing Ukrainians brutally.