Zelensky calls on the US to take strong steps in sanctions against Russia
14 September 2025 05:16
The US position that partners should stop buying Russian oil should be heard by all those who still choose to buy from Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, while calling on the US to take strong steps.
“We see the position of the United States of America, and this position should be heard by everyone who still chooses supplies from Russia over other partners. Everyone who wants this war to end must do what is necessary to stop the Russian war machine. We are counting on strong steps by the United States, along with everyone else, to implement a strong sanctions and tariff policy. That will be an argument for many in the world,” Zelensky said in an evening video address on Saturday, September 13, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump set a condition for imposing “serious sanctions” on Russia – he called on all NATO members to stop buying Russian oil.
Zelensky: Oil, gas and uranium make Putin’s cash register for war
Zelenskyy also emphasized the need to reduce the consumption of Russian oil, which, according to him, “will definitely reduce Russia’s ability to fight.” He recalled that during Russia’s war against Ukraine, Europe “has gone from almost complete dependence on Russian energy resources, especially gas, to a more autonomous life with different suppliers.”
“Everyone sees that Russia’s war against Ukraine is Putin’s war. Everyone sees that Russian drones against Poland are also Putin’s war. And this is a warning not only for Poles, but for everyone in Europe. Russian drones can cover a much greater distance. This is already a very long war of Russia – its ambitions, its capabilities, its budget, and therefore Russian oil, Russian gas, Russian uranium, Russian resources that make Putin’s cash register,” he explained. As you know, Slovakia and Hungary, which are members of the EU and NATO, still buy Russian oil.
At the same time, Zelenskyy called on all partners – Europe, the United States, the G7 and the G20 – to “stop looking for excuses why not to impose certain sanctions.”
