Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to impose "strict and immediate" sanctions on Russia, expressing his confusion over Washington's delay in making decisions that he says are essential to curbing Moscow's military capabilities.
Zelensky's remarks came during his participation in the "Yalta European Strategy" forum in Kyiv, where he urged the United States to act swiftly to restrict Russia's ability to produce ballistic missiles and related weapons.
The Ukrainian president stressed the importance of decisive American actions by Trump personally, arguing that increasing economic pressure could help cut off daily funding sources that Moscow relies on for its military operations.
Zelensky focused on the potential role of the U.S. president in tightening sanctions, urging the Trump administration not to delay measures targeting the main sectors that fund the Russian war effort.
He called on Washington to expedite its support for the joint sanctions project known as the "Russia Sanctions Act," which aims to economically strangle Moscow, especially through its oil and gas export revenues.
Kyiv believes that targeting Russian energy revenues is one of the most effective means of pressuring Moscow, as these revenues provide a critical resource for budget financing and military spending.
Zelensky's statements reflect increasing Ukrainian pressure on the U.S. administration to take stronger steps against Russia, rather than merely threatening additional measures.
According to his statements, the Ukrainian president wants immediate actions that limit Russia's ability to finance weapons and missile production and increase the economic cost of maintaining military operations.
Zelensky's demands come at a time when missile strikes between Russia and Ukraine are intensifying, amidst growing fears in Kyiv of a new Russian campaign targeting energy facilities and infrastructure with winter approaching.
Ukraine seeks to tighten economic pressures while boosting its defense capabilities, in an attempt to diminish Moscow's ability to continue missile production and fund its military operations in the long term.