Zelenskyy urges intensified sanctions on Russia as G7 meeting approaches
Tough Talk from Zelensky Ahead of G7 Summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is firing off a series of warnings to the leading industrial nations, urging them to crank up the pressure on Russia, especially ahead of the G7 summit in Canada. Despite Vladimir Putin's promises to the USA and other peace-loving nations, Russia persists in launching attacks on Ukraine's civilian energy facilities, Zelensky claimed after a meeting with military officials. He called this escalating brutality "shameless."
Accusing Moscow of exploiting the spotlight on the war between Iran and Israel, Zelensky said there's no indication that anyone in the Kremlin is interested in ending the war or taking diplomacy seriously.
Zelensky also shared that Kyiv has sent alarming information to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the USA regarding a Russian threat to Ukraine's nuclear power infrastructure. Yet, he didn't disclose the specifics. He found it outrageous that Putin is trying to act as a mediator in the Middle East given the ongoing attacks on his own borders.
Zelensky's Demand for Tougher Sanctions
To combat the rampant circumvention of sanctions, Zelensky implored the G7 members, including Germany, to implement penalties that truly hurt Russia. He advocated for punishing banks and the financial sector and insisted on a "real oil price cap" that would hammer Russia's energy sales revenues.
Zelensky is expected to be present at the meeting as a guest. He regards the meeting as a crucial platform to garner support from Ukraine's allies for additional military and financial backing in the fight against Russian aggression.
The barrage of Russian Attacks on Ukraine
Despite previous sanctions, Russia has been waging a three-year war on Ukraine. The number of attacks has surged recently. In just the past few days, neighboring Russia has deployed around 2,800 drones, nearly 3,000 guided bombs, and 140 missiles and cruise missiles against Ukraine, according to Zelensky. There were 183 drone attacks and 11 missile and cruise missile attacks alone during the night from Saturday to Sunday.
Zelensky explained that most of these attacks targeted the city of Kremenchuk in Ukraine's central region of Poltava. The Russians have been attacking an oil processing plant there since the start of the war, which is critical for fueling Ukraine's armed forces. Thankfully, no one was reported injured, but there was damage to the city's energy infrastructure, according to Zelensky's evening video message. The Russian Ministry of Defense also confirmed the attacks.
Background Context:
The European Union and Ukraine have escalated their sanctions against Russia, with the EU adopting 17 sanctions packages and Ukraine imposing penalties on numerous Russian officials and organizations involved in the deportation and adoption of Ukrainian children. Yet, Russia continues to modernize and expand its military despite these challenges. The effectiveness of the sanctions may vary due to factors such as fluctuations in global oil prices.
- Zelensky has demanded that the G7 members, particularly Germany, implement tougher sanctions on Russia, including penalties that target banks, the financial sector, and create a real oil price cap to adversely impact Russia's energy sales revenues.
- In a three-year war on Ukraine, Russia has intensified its attacks, with around 2,800 drones, nearly 3,000 guided bombs, and 140 missiles and cruise missiles being deployed against Ukraine over the past few days, according to Zelensky.
- The escalating violence in war-and-conflicts zones, such as Ukraine and the Middle East, has raised concerns about Russia's role, with Zelensky criticizing Putin for trying to act as a mediator in the Middle East while persistently attacking Ukraine's civilian energy facilities and failing to show genuine interest in diplomacy.
