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Kyiv: Following the UK’s new sanctions on Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday (local time), saying he hopes the penalties will put pressure on Moscow to make peace.

In a conversation with the prime minister of the United Kingdom, Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a coordinated international response and urged the United States to adopt more aggressive measures against Russia in order to assist the continuing diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire and long-term peace in Ukraine.

“UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer and I had a conversation. I expressed my gratitude to him for the further British sanctions, which put more pressure on Russia to make peace. Coercion alone will be effective. The Ukrainian president took to X to say, “Today, the UK and the EU have decided to impose sanctions, and it would be beneficial if the United States also assisted.”

As he put it, “Our European partners are already preparing the next steps in this critically important canvas of pressure on Russia to stop the war.” He emphasized the need for consistent pressure.

Zelenskyy and Starmer also spoke about important aspects of Ukraine’s diplomatic approach, with particular attention on possible gatherings to guarantee a truce and advance peace.
The discussion also included coordinated measures within the Coalition of the Willing and thoughts on Zelenskyy’s recent call with US President Donald Trump.

“Keir and I spoke about the main components of our diplomatic initiatives as well as possible gatherings that may really guarantee a halt to hostilities and advance the cause of enduring peace. We also spoke about our collaborative initiatives inside the Coalition of the Willing and our chat with President Trump yesterday. We decided to communicate closely, almost every day. “Thank you, Britain.” Zelenskyy went on.

The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) announced further sanctions earlier Tuesday that target Russia’s military supply networks, economy, and shadow oil fleet.

While the UK slapped 100 new sanctions, including on financial institutions and military supplies, the EU enacted its 17th and most comprehensive set of penalties.

The 17th package of individual and economic restrictions was approved by the European Council, denying Russia access to vital military technologies.

The latest sanctions, meanwhile, target organizations that support Russia’s military apparatus, energy exports, and information war, as well as financial institutions that support Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and disrupt the supply chains of lethal Russian weapons systems, such as Iskander missiles, according to a statement from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office.

14 more members of the Social Design Agency (SDA), which conducts Kremlin-funded information operations aimed at undermining democracy, sovereignty, and the rule of law in Ukraine and throughout the globe, are now targeted by the UK’s sanctions.

The St. Petersburg Currency Exchange, the Russian Deposit Insurance Agency, which insures Russian banks, and 46 financial firms that aid Russian efforts to avoid sanctions are also targeted by the penalties.
Along with the fleet’s facilitators, the UK will also penalize 18 other ships in the Russian oil-carrying “shadow fleet.”