Ukraine faces a harsh frontline reality: there is a clear and urgent need for ammunition in large volumes and of high quality. The moment is decisive, and surrender would be a grave misstep. The Ukrainian ambassador to the European Union, Vsevolod Chentsov, sits with European journalists to reflect on two years of conflict. He describes the frontline as persistently demanding while acknowledging the EU’s thirteenth sanctions package against Moscow. He regards the package as more symbolic than bold, yet it signals continued pressure on Russia and a commitment to economic and military containment.
Chentsov emphasizes that the sanctions, while not aggressively ambitious, are designed to create momentum as Russia’s aggression nears its second anniversary. The European Union aimed to roll out measures within tight deadlines, leaving little room for broader provisions that would require extended effort. The timing aligns with Kyiv’s hope that sanctions would slow Moscow’s military production, including networks involved in procuring drone components that fuel the Russian war machine and influence the battlefield in Ukraine.
Thus far, the EU has targeted non-European suppliers that helped circumvent restrictions, focusing on entities connected to Iran or Hong Kong. The latest package adds three Chinese firms and names North Korea’s defense minister for missile supply. EU representatives stress that the goal is to keep pressure on the Kremlin, constrict its economy, and disrupt the war setup. Chentsov notes measurable results, even as some voices in Hungary push for more restraint. The bloc is already discussing a potential fourteenth package, with various delegations indicating ongoing efforts.
Beyond sanctions, Kyiv highlights gaps in areas like metals and aluminum, where Russia still trades with the Union through allowed exemptions. Agricultural products from Russia remain flagged as unacceptable for loosening restrictions, and oil and LNG revenues continue to raise concerns. The ambassador calls for sustained attention to energy sectors, including electricity and nuclear, and stronger enforcement to deter third-country evasion of the sanctions regime.
He also points to the containment of the European Peace Facility, which funds arms shipments to Ukraine under a framework that requires careful balance among member states. He notes that no crisis has stalled progress, as bilateral agreements with France and Germany move forward and more accords are in motion. The core issue lies not in choosing support for Ukraine but in balancing national contributions with EPF funding. The ambassador stresses that measured responses remain essential even when public opinion shifts, and that surrender is not an acceptable option given the strategic dynamics at play. Russia is viewed as benefiting from broader regional tensions since October, including shifts in the Middle East, which shape the larger security landscape.