Today, we discussed the preparation of a new decision by the National Security and Defense Council. It’s important to keep applying pressure on Russia’s influence networks, as well as on all of their manufacturing and trade operations. We are striving to synchronize Ukrainian sanctions as fully as possible with all those in Europe, so that this becomes a joint position, and we already have good results. In particular, in the form of closed Russian production facilities that had been working for their defense industry.
We are also preparing for talks with the United States on new sanctions steps – we are identifying precisely those pressure points of Russia that will most effectively push Moscow toward diplomacy. They must take clear steps to end the war, and we insist that an unconditional and full ceasefire must become the first step. Russia has to make that move. Right now, they’re worried about whether they can hold their military parade – and rightly so. But what they really should be worried about is that this war is still ongoing. They must end the war.
We are also preparing for talks with the United States on new sanctions steps – we are identifying precisely those pressure points of Russia that will most effectively push Moscow toward diplomacy. They must take clear steps to end the war, and we insist that an unconditional and full ceasefire must become the first step. Russia has to make that move. Right now, they’re worried about whether they can hold their military parade – and rightly so. But what they really should be worried about is that this war is still ongoing. They must end the war.