Zelenskyy Calls for Tougher Russia Sanctions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged the international community to maintain and strengthen sanctions against Russian businesses and oligarchs, saying the measures should pressure Russia’s business elite to demand an end to the war. In a statement published Sept. 12, he rejected discussions about easing restrictions on companies and individuals supporting Moscow’s war effort.

Zelenskyy said Russia had expanded its campaign beyond the battlefield by targeting Ukrainian economic infrastructure and foreign-owned businesses. He cited attacks on warehouses, fuel stations, pharmaceutical facilities, passenger trains, residential buildings, ports, shopping centers and energy infrastructure. According to the president, Russian forces had launched nearly 500 Shahed drones since the beginning of the day.

He argued that Russian businesses paying taxes into the country’s war budget and oligarchs linked to President Vladimir Putin’s system should face continued international pressure. Zelenskyy specifically named billionaires Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, saying they should take concrete steps against the war.

Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the European Union and Japan have imposed sanctions on both men, while Switzerland has sanctioned Fridman. Zelenskyy said easing restrictions would weaken Ukraine and called for broader pressure in response to Russia’s ongoing attacks.