PRESS RELEASE : European partners have made a significant contribution to Ukraine’s military capabilities – President

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 20 April 2022.

The European Union must maximize sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation and provide Ukraine with all the necessary modern weapons to help our country win the war that Russia is shamefully waging against it. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting with media representatives following talks with European Council President Charles Michel in Kyiv.

The President thanked the EU senior official for his personal support and this visit, which took place despite all security challenges. He noted that Charles Michel visited the village of Borodyanka in the Kyiv region and could see the atrocities of the Russian occupiers.

“We understand that Russia seeks to destroy the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian statehood. And this is a real genocide. We see that Russia does not stop in its bloody desire to destroy Ukrainians and our state at any cost, women, children, our defenseless civilian population,” he said.

The President said that Ukraine and the EU had agreed to work closely together to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Russian military.

“I am convinced that by joint efforts we will be able to bring to justice all those guilty. And we will find everyone for sure, I promise you that,” the Head of State said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted that the timing of arms supplies has become clearer.

“European partners have made a significant contribution to our military capabilities. I am grateful for the allocation of 1.5 billion euros within the European Peace Fund to finance the military needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” he said.

According to the Head of State, it was agreed to use these funds as efficiently as possible so that Ukraine would receive exactly the weapons it needs now.

“Not all, but those that are a top priority for us now. Not all, but those that we do not have. These are very important nuances. Timely and what is needed,” the President stressed.

Speaking about the strengthening of sanctions against Russia, he noted that the sixth powerful sanctions package should be approved as soon as possible depriving Russia of the opportunity to finance the war.

“We are grateful for the EU’s five sanctions packages. But, unfortunately, some things have not been completed by these sanctions, they need to be analyzed in more detail and implemented. It is still not enough to stop the financing of this war by the Russian Federation,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

In particular, according to him, Ukraine calls for a full energy embargo on Russia, including oil and gas imports.

“Oil must definitely be included in the sixth package. We believe that without it the package will not be powerful, it will be empty,” the President stressed.

The Head of State noted that it is also necessary to finally disconnect all Russian banks from SWIFT, including Sberbank and Gazprombank. It is necessary to block all accounts of the Russian state and companies, directing these funds to the reconstruction of Ukraine. Every Russian civil servant and their family must feel the effects of sanctions and the consequences of their personal support for the war against Ukraine.

For his part, Charles Michel is convinced that Russia must be held accountable for the war crimes and atrocities it has committed in the occupied Ukrainian cities. He also spoke in favor of helping Ukraine document the crimes of the invaders to ensure justice.

The President of the European Council noted that in the first days of the war the EU adopted a decision to provide military support to Ukraine, including equipment and weapons. In addition, EU member states provided assistance at the bilateral level at the request of the Ukrainian state.

Charles Michel also supported increasing pressure on the Russian regime to end the war. And today, additional points of proposals for the European Council to increase sanctions pressure on Russia were discussed.

“We will do everything we can for Ukraine to win, because we want the victory of Ukraine,” said the President of the European Council.