Ukrainian President Calls New Measures a “Very Important Step” Toward Ending the War
Brussels, October 23, 2025 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised the latest round of U.S. and European Union sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, calling them a “very important” development in the global effort to pressure Moscow into halting its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels during the European Union leaders’ summit, Zelenskiy said that while the new sanctions targeting Russia’s oil and gas industries marked a major milestone, additional pressure would still be required to achieve a lasting ceasefire.
“This is very important,” Zelenskiy said of the new measures. “But more pressure is needed for Russia to truly consider peace.”
The U.S. on Wednesday imposed major sanctions on Russia’s top two oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, marking the first Ukraine-related sanctions issued during President Donald Trump’s second term. The move followed the European Union’s 19th sanctions package, which includes a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).
A Unified Front: U.S. and EU Tighten Grip on Russia’s Energy Revenues
The coordinated measures by Washington and Brussels underscore a renewed Western push to choke off revenue sources that fund Russia’s war machine. The U.S. Treasury Department said the sanctions could be expanded further if Moscow continues its aggression in Ukraine.
The EU’s new sanctions, formally adopted on Thursday, will phase out Russian LNG contracts—short-term deals ending in six months and long-term contracts ceasing by January 2027. This move accelerates the bloc’s roadmap to eliminate reliance on Russian fossil fuels by at least a year.
The sanctions announcement came just one day after plans for a Trump-Putin summit in Hungary were canceled, reflecting the strained diplomatic atmosphere between Washington and Moscow.
Zelenskiy Thanks Trump, Warns Against Territorial Concessions
Zelenskiy publicly thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for the new sanctions, calling them a “resolute and well-targeted decision” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“The new U.S. sanctions against Russia’s oil giants are a clear signal that prolonging the war and spreading terror come at a cost,” Zelenskiy wrote. “It is precisely pressure on Russia that will be effective for achieving peace, and sanctions are one of its key components.”
When asked about the possibility of a ceasefire, Zelenskiy said he still believed peace could be reached, but ruled out any territorial concessions to Moscow.
“Ukraine will never compromise on sovereignty,” he said, reaffirming Kyiv’s stance that Russian forces must withdraw from occupied territories before any formal ceasefire can be established.
Growing Economic Pressure on Moscow
The new energy sanctions represent a sharp escalation of Western efforts to curb Russia’s oil and gas exports, which remain a critical funding source for the Kremlin.
- The U.S. Treasury has blacklisted dozens of subsidiaries of Rosneft and Lukoil, freezing their U.S.-based assets and barring Americans from conducting business with them.
- The EU sanctions also target more than 100 vessels in Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”, which are used to transport oil outside Western oversight.
- Additional travel restrictions have been placed on Russian diplomats, as well as financial entities in Kazakhstan, Belarus, and several Chinese-linked oil firms accused of helping Russia circumvent previous sanctions.
Energy analysts say these measures could further tighten global oil supply and push prices higher, as Brent crude climbed above $64 per barrel following the U.S. announcement.
What Comes Next for Ukraine and Its Allies
As Ukraine continues to defend its territory against ongoing Russian assaults, Zelenskiy’s diplomatic efforts in Brussels aim to secure additional aid and military support from EU member states.
The Ukrainian president emphasized that economic sanctions, while vital, must be paired with continued military assistance and humanitarian aid to ensure Ukraine’s resilience both on the battlefield and at home.
European diplomats at the summit echoed Zelenskiy’s call for unity, with several leaders stressing that “sanctions fatigue” must be avoided as the war enters its fourth year.
Summary of Key Developments
- U.S. sanctions target Russia’s largest oil firms, Lukoil and Rosneft, marking the first Ukraine-related sanctions of Trump’s second term.
- EU’s 19th sanctions package includes a ban on Russian LNG imports by 2027 and restrictions on over 500 vessels in Russia’s oil transport fleet.
- Zelenskiy hails the new sanctions but says more pressure is needed to secure peace.
- No territorial concessions: Ukraine remains firm on its sovereignty demands.
- Oil prices rise amid fears of tighter global supply following sanctions announcements.
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