UPDATE WITH ZELENSKYY’S MEETING WITH UK FOREIGN SECRETARY, REVISED HL/DECK/LEDE
By Alperen Aktas
ISTANBUL (AA) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday said he discussed suspected Russian drone incursions into Poland with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and welcomed the first official visit to Kyiv by new UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, highlighting expanded defense cooperation and fresh sanctions on Moscow.
“We are grateful to Poland for its support from the very beginning of the war. We are close neighbors, and in times of such dangers it is vital to stand together,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram, adding that Kyiv is ready to assist in training Polish forces and building a joint defense system.
Zelenskyy says talks with Sikorski also covered joint defense production, Ukraine’s EU membership process, and the use of SAFE program funds to produce interceptor drones.
On Cooper’s visit, Zelenskyy said the two sides discussed “urgent matters: next steps within the Coalition of the Willing and the development of security guarantees with a particular emphasis on a strong Ukrainian army; further defense support; the implementation of the agreement to produce in the UK interceptor drones designed in Ukraine; strengthening air defense; and long-range capabilities.”
He thanked the UK for announcing a new sanctions package against Russia and £142 million ($184 million) in financial aid to help Ukraine prepare for winter.
Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy also said he spoke with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen about defense assistance, cooperation in weapons production, and Denmark’s participation in the PURL initiative.
“The best response to aggression must be the joint strengthening of air defense and the creation of a reliable air shield over Europe,” he said, urging that the EU adopt its 19th sanctions package against Russia as soon as possible.
– Japan, UK, New Zealand impose new sanctions on Russia
Zelenskyy, in a separate statement, expressed gratitude to Japan, the UK, and New Zealand for imposing new sanctions on Russia.
He said Japan lowered the price cap on Russian oil to $47.60 per barrel, which he noted would reduce the Kremlin’s financial resources.
The Ukrainian leader also welcomed sanctions against companies linked to Russia’s military industry, including a producer of Iskander missiles, shadow fleet operators, and suppliers.
According to Zelenskyy, individuals involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children were also targeted. “Such steps are exactly what strengthen the joint pressure on the aggressor and bring us closer to the result we are all working for,” he said.
He also thanked the UK for announcing a sanctions package in Kyiv that includes 100 measures covering 70 tankers, 27 companies connected to Russia’s military supply chains, and three individuals.
“It is very important that our proposals were taken into account during the preparation of the sanctions,” he said, calling the measures a “strong blow to Russia’s shadow fleet.”
Zelenskyy added that New Zealand also reduced its oil price cap to $47.60 and sanctioned 19 entities, 19 vessels, and Russia’s GRU Unit 29155, which he said has been involved in cyberattacks.
He described this as New Zealand’s 32nd sanctions package against Russia and “a strong signal of support for Ukraine.”