Zelenskyy: Putin must feel pain of continuing war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Wednesday said Russian President Vladimir Putin must understand that any attempt to continue the war against Ukraine and spread destabilising activities to countries like Poland and Romania would come at a cost for Russia.

Zelenskyy made the remarks during a joint briefing with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in Kyiv.

“We expect that one of the main targets of the sanctions will be Russian energy resources and their trade infrastructure, as well as the banking sector and schemes Russia uses to evade sanctions to finance the war,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the EU’s upcoming 19th sanctions package against Russia.

He added that he and Metsola discussed strategies to strengthen the positions of Slovakia and Hungary, which still maintain some energy dependence on Russia.

“We also anticipate corresponding US sanctions. Putin must understand that his intent to continue the war and expand destabilising activities to countries such as Poland and Romania will be painful for Russia,” Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian President stressed that Russia must feel significant economic, political, and other losses so that Ukraine and Russia can eventually move toward a path of peace.