EU sanctions are “a little too late”, says President Zelensky in his message. He thanked all the European allies’ support through economic sanctions against Russia but it’s already too late. Zelensky said if the sanctions had been preventative, there was a chance Russia would not have gone to war.
“You blocked Nord Stream 2. We are grateful to you. And rightly so. But it was also a little late. Because if it had been in time, Russia would not have created a gas crisis. At least there was a chance,” he told the council.
Zelensky told member states: “The Russian military does not see what dignity is. They do not know what conscience is. They do not understand why we value our freedom so much. This is what determines how the country will live.”
He said Russia has already destroyed 230 schools, 155 kindergartens and killed 128 children in Ukraine.
“Whole cities, villages. Just to ashes. Nothing remains,” he said, “The Russian military killed journalists. Although they saw the inscription “Press” on them. They may not have been taught to read. Only to kill.”
In his address, Zelensky thanked member states for their support but stopped short of thanking Hungary, calling on Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban to “decide already” on its treatment of Russia.
“You hesitate whether to impose sanctions or not? And you hesitate whether to let weapons through or not? And you hesitate whether to trade with Russia or not? There is no time to hesitate. It’s time to decide already.”
European countries have cut ties with Moscow as they refuse to buy any export from the country. Investors also exited the country cutting all financial ties and future projects. Some even seized Russian oligarch properties and banned them.