A ‘sanction cocktail’ like Molotov necessary to halt Russia: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky

While addressing Finland’s parliament on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a “sanction cocktail, that would be remembered just like Molotov cocktails” is crucial to put an end to Russia’s malevolence. 

Zelensky requested Finland to “show even more leadership” in the European Union, emphasizing that it will be “the biggest contribution in the security of Europe.”

He further added that Ukraine requires weapons “that some of the EU partners have,” as well as “powerful efficient sanctions against Russia on a permanent basis.”

“We need to think about how to protect Europe from the Russian energy weapon,” Zelensky said.

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“How much longer can Europe ignore the introduction of embargo against oil supplies from Russia?” he assertively questioned.

During the video address, Zelensky also spoke about the recent missile strike by the “Russian military” that hit a railway terminal in the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk and killed about 30 people. He claimed that about 300 people have sustained injuries, adding that “there are witnesses, there are videos, there are remnants of the missiles and dead people.”

He described the train station as an “ordinary” and “rank-and-file,” with “people crowded waiting for the trains to be evacuated to the safe territory.”

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“Why do they need this war against Ukraine? Why do they need to hit civilians with missiles? Why this cruelty that the world has witnessed in Bucha and other cities liberated by the Ukrainian army?” he asked.

While stating that those “fighting for freedom” should be offered support, Zelensky added that “ordinary people understand these things and this concept more than some influential leaders. Smaller countries understand it better than some of the bigger countries.”

Zelensky’s address to Finland’s parliament on Friday marks the Ukrainian leader’s 23rd address to a foreign parliament since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.