Halt All Trade Russia, Zelensky Urges Europe

President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, called on European leaders on Monday to cease all trade with Russia in an effort to pressure Moscow to halt its nearly month-long military assault on his country.

“Please do not sponsor the weapons of war of this country, of Russia. No euros for the occupiers. Close all of your ports to them. Don’t export your goods to them. Deny energy resources. Push for Russia to leave Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a video address.

Addressing Germany directly, he said, “you have the strength. Europe has the strength.”

His appeal came as several countries in the EU, including the Baltic states, had called for an embargo on Russian oil and gas imports.

However, Germany had opposed an outright halt on Russian energy imports.

EU foreign ministers would be meeting on Monday to discuss Ukraine and a possible tightening of sanctions.

Earlier on Monday, Russia had cautioned against a European oil embargo, saying the move could “hit everyone”.

“Such an embargo would have very serious consequences for the world energy market. It will have a very serious negative impact on Europe’s energy balance,” spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters.

The United States this month announced a ban on Russian oil and gas, while Britain has said it will cut out Russian oil imports by the end of this year.