PRESS RELEASE : Russians continue to destroy Ukrainian cities and kill people, so it is clear that the existing sanctions are not enough – Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 25 April 2022.

To stop the war, it is necessary to continue to support Ukraine, including with weapons, as well as to increase sanctions pressure on Russia and those who adopt terrible decisions to exterminate Ukrainians. This was stated by Head of the President’s Office Andriy Yermak in an interview with Fox News.

He thanked the American people and the US leadership for the assistance to our country, in particular for the recent decision on $ 800 million in defense support.

“There has never been such international support in our history. This is a historic moment. First of all, for the world, which has demonstrated that unity is possible,” Andriy Yermak said.

At the same time, he stressed that the war continues and the Ukrainian state needs further assistance.

“At the moment we do not have enough (weapons – ed.). We keep getting them. I hope that at the most important moment we will be ready, and our partners will do everything that was agreed and on time. Sometimes in life it is important to receive things on time,” said the Head of the Office of the President.

According to him, Ukraine needs MiG fighters, but will also welcome F-16s or other new aircraft.

Andriy Yermak stressed that the war continues, the Russians continue to destroy Ukrainian cities and kill people: military and civilians, including women and children.

“Therefore, it is clear that the existing sanctions are not enough,” he said.

According to the Head of the Office of the President, an international expert group has been set up at the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, co-chaired by Andriy Yermak and Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI), Former US National Security Adviser Michael McFaul. The main goal of this group is to analyze the sanctions imposed on Russia and develop proposals to increase sanctions pressure.

In particular, he noted, the group of experts came to the conclusion that it is necessary to impose a full embargo on Russian energy and sanctions against all Russian banks.

It is also necessary to expand the circle of individuals subject to sanctions, as many Russians support the war, in particular by participating in decision-making and carrying out orders to exterminate the civilian population of Ukraine.

“Recognition of Russia as a state – sponsor of terrorism will allow launching additional sanctions mechanisms. After all, the main goal of any sanctions is to stop the war. It is important to put pressure on Russia, on Russian business close to the Kremlin in order to stop the adoption of heinous decisions,” the Head of the President’s Office said.

Andriy Yermak is convinced that the Ukrainians will definitely win, but the support of friends is important in the war.

“Our victory will be common. This will be the greatest victory of Ukraine and at the same time the victory of the United States. Probably that in the future this struggle will be called Ukraine’s war for freedom,” he concluded.