Zelensky: Sanctions against Russian oligarchs should not be cancelled, but strengthened

President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in his opening speech at a meeting of the European Council in Brussels, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"Now we see how sanctions against Russian oligarchs have been lifted. We need to stop this and strengthen sanctions, because this is what the Putin regime is based on," Zelensky said.

In this context, he also recalled the decision of European leaders to use the profits from Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine.

"I am grateful for the decision that provides Ukraine with financial resources from frozen Russian assets. It is only fair that the terrorist's assets protect Ukraine, which is suffering from Russian terror. All assets of a terrorist state should work to protect life, of course. We have to find the right way to confiscate all these assets," the Head of State stressed.

As reported, the Group of Seven countries decided to provide Ukraine with a USD 50 billion loan by the end of 2024 through the use of frozen Russian assets. This is an American loan, but it can be supplemented with European money or national contributions. This loan to Ukraine is to be repaid from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets, most of which are located in the EU.

Photo: OP