If there were enough sanctions against the Russian Federation, there would be no war – Zelenskyy

Alyona Mazurenko – Friday, 11 March 2022, 00:36

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Ukraine's Office of the President.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that the world is not putting enough pressure on the Russian Federation as the shelling of Ukrainian territory and the war continue.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with Die Zeit.

Quote: "If there were enough sanctions, the invasion would have stopped. Russian oil and petroleum products are still being bought. Western corporations still remain in the Russian market under the guise of various excuses.

Yes, there are moral companies that have left, and we are grateful to them for that. But there are business giants who are still choosing bloody money. Everyone must be moral and strengthen sanctions against Russia for this unprovoked and brutal invasion, which is reminiscent of the worst times of World War II".

Details: Zelenskyy believes that sanctions on oil and gas are not enough against Russian invaders.

Quote: "If we talk about sanctions, they primarily relate to oil, petroleum products and gas. World ports must be closed to Russian ships. Cargo companies must stop sending and receiving goods from and to Russia. There should be no exceptions for Russian banks disconnected from SWIFT. These are specific things that can be done".

According to the President, if these sanctions are not implemented now, "then you will have to do even more to save the Baltic states, Poland, Moldova, Georgia and all other countries – Russia's neighbours – from the Russian invasion".

Moreover, according to Zelenskyy, it is very important that Western countries decide how to create a humanitarian no-fly zone over Ukraine.

The President added that Ukraine's partners can at least provide Ukraine at least with combat aircraft and missile defence equipment that Ukrainians will be able to use to secure the sky on their own.

Zelenskyy believes that the West has not put sufficient economic pressure on Putin to back off.

In addition, the President believes that the war could have been avoided if Ukraine had been provided more weapons to defend itself. Zelenskyy argues that, in such a case, Russia would not have dared to invade.

Quote: "Months ago, when there was no invasion, everyone saw that an invasion was possible. The troops were on our border. And I asked to apply such sanctions against Russia that they would not even think to attack. This wasn't done.

Now we have an invasion. Very cruel ... They even kill refugees. Their rockets hit residential homes, universities, churches. This is barbarism. And yes, we are getting weapons. But we obviously need more because the barbarity isn't stopping".