Ukraine urges EU to impose sanctions on Russia’s ballistic missile industry

Ukraine has proposed that its European Union partners introduce an anti-ballistic sanctions package against Russia to deprive the country of its ability to produce ballistic missiles, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

Speaking ahead of the September 2 informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, known as the “Gymnich,” in Ireland, Sybiha said strengthening Ukraine’s air shield was one of Kyiv’s top priorities, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He pointed to frequent air raid alerts, particularly in Kyiv, and continued strikes, saying he was in Ireland to serve as a kind of “air raid siren” for Ukraine’s partners, urging them to wake up to the reality on the ground.

“We have already submitted concrete proposals for sanctions targeting ballistic missiles, a number of Russian companies, and the “Rassvet” satellite system. But this is not enough. We demand a full EU embargo on Russian alumina, a complete ‘tightening of the screws’ on the ‘shadow fleet,’ sanctions against Rosatom and Roscosmos, as well as tough entry restrictions for Russian citizens to stop their sabotage ‘lawlessness’ across Europe,” the foreign minister stressed.

Sybiha separately emphasised that Ukraine’s main priority at present was air defence missiles and called for additional support packages, including assistance for the energy sector. He also raised the issue of using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine.

By Jeyhun Aghazada