Zelenskyy expects new EU sanctions against Russia to be ‘powerful and effective’

By Kanyshai Butun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that he expects the EU’s 20th package of sanctions against Russia to be “powerful and effective,” according to media reports.

Speaking at a joint briefing with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Zelenskyy said he is “counting” on the package despite “various challenges.”

He said he hopes it “will be adopted as soon as possible,” Ukrinform quoted Zelenskyy. “This is a form of diplomacy that Russia understands.”

Von der Leyen assured Zelenskyy that adoption “is only a matter of time,” and it should take place as soon as possible.

The EU failed to reach an agreement on the latest sanctions package during a meeting Monday of foreign ministers in Brussels, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

“Unfortunately, we did not reach an agreement on the 20th sanctions package. This is a setback and a message we didn’t want to send today, but the work continues,” said Kallas, adding that outreach is ongoing with Hungarian and Slovak authorities, who opposed the package.