The effectiveness of sanctions against the Russian Federation, which are already in force and under discussion, requires a single strong position of the whole world, which would make it impossible to circumvent these restrictions. This was emphasized by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during an online conversation with the Stanford University community.
The President reminded that the leading international experts, members of the Yermak-McFaul group, are developing proposals on sanctions and submitting them to the world's leading states. Also, these experts analyze the effectiveness of certain restrictions applied against Russia.
"Today, unfortunately, Russia mostly circumvents sanctions. Why? Because there is no single strong position of the whole world against the aggression of the Russian Federation," the President stressed.
Volodymyr Zelensky noted that the people of many countries of the world support Ukraine today, they understand whose side is the truth, who is to blame for this war, who is taking the lives and who is defending themselves. This encourages the leaders of these states to impose sanctions against the aggressor, because they are afraid of political pressure from societies.
"But secretly, they are helping Russia circumvent many sanctions. Therefore, we do not see that the sanctions put too much pressure on the Russian Federation," the President said.
He stressed that sanctions are the world's right weapon against Russia, which is now taking the lives of Ukrainians.
"Sanctions are the weapon, which does not take people’s lives. It simply shows that international law, human rights, sovereignty cannot be violated, that one cannot take someone else's property, moreover take people's lives. That is why such tools are needed," the President summed up.
