Zelensky calls on EU to impose new sanctions on Russia

“Europe must show strength because Russia alone views the force as argument”, Zelensky said during the 30 May speech at the EU summit.

This two-day summit aims to reinforce the bloc's support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invading forces.

Speaking to EU leaders via video connection, Zelensky said it is time for the EU not to be divided and called for new sanctions against Russia, including an embargo on Russian oil.

The sixth package of sanctions must be adopted, including oil, so Russia can feel the price for what it is doing to Ukraine and Europe as a whole and so that you can finally become independent of Russia's energy weapons”, he said.

EU divisions over Russian oil imports have slowed the adoption of the new package of sanctions. A proposal allowing exemptions from sanctions for Russian crude oil, which is transported through pipelines, failed 29 May, following objections from Hungary. That fact causes negotiators to try to eliminate a possible rift among EU states over Russia's fight against Ukraine, ahead of the two-day EU summit starting on May 30th.

According to the latest draft summit conclusions, the leaders of the bloc's 27 states will agree on the new round of sanctions that will include a temporary exception to Russian oil being transported through pipelines from Russia to the EU.

The text of the conclusions, which Radio Free Europe has seen, is said to be “The European Council agrees that the sixth package of sanctions against Russia will cover Russian crude oil, but oil products sent from Russia to member states, with a temporary exception for crude oil being transported through the” pipelines.

Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, countries that accept Russian oil through the Druzba pipeline -- 4,000km long -- will continue to supply this way even though these supplies will eventually be sanctioned.

The statement confirms that EU states will agree to the proposal for an embargo on Russian oil sent to the EU via the sea. This ban, according to the statement, will go into effect at the end of the year and call for “solidarity among member states in the event of any immediate disruption of supplies”.

The Influence of War on Neighboring States

During the summit, EU leaders are also expected to discuss the impact of war on neighbouring states and the Western Balkans.

The document cites the need to provide adequate support to the Republic of Moldova as it faces energy and economic crisis as well as the pressure of migration, which is growing as a result of the war.

The European Council again calls for an end to the oppression in Belarus and calls for the implementation of democratic rights for the Belarusan people, such as holding new and free elections”, says the draft conflict.