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Kyiv: On Wednesday (local time), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the European Union for approving its 17th round of sanctions on Russia and called for further robust steps to put pressure on Moscow to end the war.

Zelenskyy discussed Ukraine’s hopes to join the EU and the need for a strong international reaction to Russia’s activities in an interview with Antonio Costa, president of the European Council.

“As usual, I had a very in-depth discussion with António Costa, the president of the European Council. We spoke about potential next actions after I told him about our diplomatic efforts.

I expressed my gratitude to him for approving the 17th round of sanctions the EU has imposed on Russia. The Ukrainian president took to X to say, “The next one is already being prepared, and it is essential that it be even stronger.”

According to him, the sanctions should be directed against Russia’s financial and energy industries as well as its shadow fleet, which includes both ships and their sailors.

“It should cover the financial industry, the energy industry, and the shadow fleet—not only the ships themselves, but also the staff who run them. Antonio affirmed that such penalties would be implemented if Russia does not agree to a cease-fire,” Zelenskyy said.

“The start of discussion clusters for Ukraine’s EU membership was another topic we covered. Finding a solution that would enable the process to be unblocked is crucial. I appreciate all of your efforts in achieving this,” he said.

In response to the UK’s new sanctions on Russia, Zelenskyy thanked UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier Tuesday, saying he hopes the move would put further 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.

The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) announced fresh sanctions aimed at Russia’s military supply routes, shadow oil fleet, and economy.

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.

“Today’s 17th package is part of an even broader set of EU measures also targeting Russia’s hybrid activities, domestic violations of human rights and the use of riot control agents by Russian forces in Ukraine, under three other sanctions regimes,” the European Council said in a news statement.

Furthermore, the EU targeted the shadow fleet ecosystem, namely the players who facilitate the shadow fleet’s operations, with specific measures (asset freeze and restriction to make money accessible). These restrictions apply to shipping firms, including those from the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Hong Kong, that carry crude oil and oil products by sea and engage in risky maritime activities while transporting Russian oil.