Zelenskyy urges public pressure on those who help Russia circumvent sanctions

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenskyy stated the possibility of public pressure on those who help in circumventing sanctions in the Russian Federation.

He made the remarks during a joint press conference in Kyiv with Estonian President Alar Karis on June 2, RBC-Ukraine reports.

"There are, unfortunately, states all over the world, and on the European continent, who want it or not, but help bypass sanctions. Bypassing sanctions - frankly, I'm even a little tired of the same fight, I think I'm going to start fighting publicly against those who give the ability to bypass these sanctions," President Zelenskyy said.

He noted that Russia's ability to circumvent imposed sanctions leads to increased missile production.

"To make us all look adequate, not chumps. You can, of course, think how we can produce hundreds of missiles every month (for air defence systems - ed.) and how difficult it is to do, but on the other hand, give opportunities for them (Russians - ed.) to bypass and produce more "X" or other ballistic missiles. That is some nonsense going on," Zelenskyy said.

Bypassing sanctions

The European Union is working on the 11th package of sanctions against Russia. However, some issues are of concern. The main one is the mechanism of influence on third countries, which does not do enough to prevent Russia from circumventing the sanctions.

The EU believes that if diplomatic pressure on such countries proves ineffective, the mechanism would allow targeted export restrictions on key goods.

Hungary and Greece block sanctions

At the same time, Hungary and Greece are blocking a new package of sanctions because they still want some of their companies to be removed from the Ukrainian list of international war sponsors.

Trade restrictions

In addition, most countries are concerned about proposals to extend trade restrictions to several Chinese companies that allegedly supplied banned goods to Russia.

Other proposed measures in the new package include banning the transit of many goods through Russia and imposing official restrictions on oil shipments into the country through the northern part of the Druzhba pipeline.

The EU hopes that the package will be agreed next week, one of its interlocutors said.