Zelensky asks EU for 7th sanctions package against Russia

US Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has already signed a letter to the EU setting out Ukraine’s vision for the seventh package of sanctions…reports Asian Lite News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the European Union (EU) to impose a seventh package of sanctions against Russia due to its continued war against Kiev.

He made the remark at a joint press conference in Kiev with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday, Ukrayinska Pravda reported.

“The war continues, so a seventh package of sanctions is needed,” the President said.

He believes sanctions should be imposed on all Russian officials and judges who are working on repression.

“Sanctions are also needed against companies that are helping the Russian state in one way or another, whether in the military sphere or in suppressing democracy,” Zelensky said.

He also insisted that the EU should completely abandon Russian energy resources.

“The EU must work for its own benefit to completely eliminate Russian energy resources. This is a fundamental security issue for all.”

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has already signed a letter to the EU setting out Ukraine’s vision for the seventh package of sanctions.

Zelensky’s statement came just days after he signed a decree on June 9 to impose personal sanctions on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and a number of other high-ranking officials in Moscow.

The sanctions list comprises a total of 35 Russian figures, and some of the important ones include Secretary of Russia’s Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Sanctions include bans on entry to Ukraine; revocation of visas and permits; revocation of state awards of Ukraine; revocation of all issued licences and permits; blocking of financial assets; and a ban on transportation of property belonging to the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.

In addition, Zelensky also signed a decree imposing sanctions on 236 Russian universities.

‘Opinion on Ukraine’s EU candidate status next week’

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in Kiev that the Commission will finalise the assessment on granting Ukraine European Union (EU) candidate status by the end of next week, local media reported.

“The European Commission is currently preparing its recommendations — the so-called conclusion for EU member states. We have been working on this assessment day and night,” von der Leyen added on Saturday at the joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Our discussions will allow us to conclude this work by the end of next week.”

On February 28, Zelensky signed an official appeal to the EU asking for the accession of Ukraine through a new special procedure.

The European Commission President gave the EU membership questionnaire to the Ukrainian President during her visit to Kiev in April. The first part of the document was submitted to the EU on April 18, while the second was delivered on May 9.

However, observers say even with candidate status, it may take years, if not decades, for Ukraine to obtain EU membership.

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