Ukraine held discussions with its partners from the European Union (EU) regarding the details of the 18th sanctions package aimed at Russia. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, these sanctions will have a cumulative effect, and the aggressor will feel their impact most strongly in the summer of 2026.
This is reported by Finway
During a press conference on May 28, Zelensky stated that the new restrictions could inflict significant damage on Russia.
“Europe has implemented the 17th package. We discussed the details of the 18th package to make it stronger, currently privately with colleagues from the EU – with Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa. I believe there could be strong measures. If none of the leaders block it, there could be strong measures,”
the president noted.
Volodymyr Zelensky added that the Ukrainian authorities maintain communication with the American side, particularly with Senate representatives who support sanctions pressure on Russia. The president also discussed sanctions during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Vatican, specifically regarding restrictions in the energy and banking sectors.
“Will the U.S. be able to impose sanctions on these two sectors? I would really like that. Or will they decide to be more interested and take consistent steps? I just don’t know. Have they finally decided to take a strong step, or have they decided to take one step, and still something must be demonstrated by the Russians, and then step two? I don’t know,”
the head of state added.
Zelensky also emphasized that the main challenge remains the growing military-industrial complex of Russia, but noted that next year it will not be able to continue its growth and will begin to decline due to the impact of sanctions on the Russian economy.
“We understand that the economic impact of sanctions will be felt by the Russians. Already from those that have been adopted. And we believe that from that moment, around the summer of 2026, their economy will feel this strongly. We understand what the budget deficit will be. Perhaps it won’t be catastrophic for their economy, because it is mostly shadow,”
Zelensky stressed.