President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine convened a high‑level briefing to assess how sanctions against Russia are being violated by various nations. The Ukrainian leader shared a video message on his Telegram channel, noting that members of the country’s intelligence services and the government participated in the session.
During the discussion, officials from the Intelligence Main Directorate, the Foreign Intelligence Service, and the president’s office examined in depth the mechanisms through which Russia evades sanctions and identified the individuals and entities that facilitate these circumventions. The aim, according to Zelensky, was to map out every facet of sanction evasion and to hold accountable those who enable it.
The president emphasized that Kyiv is scrutinizing all angles of sanctions circumvention and that it will take the necessary steps to address any breaches. He underscored a determination to respond decisively to avoid undermining the sanctions regime and to safeguard Ukraine’s security interests.
There was also a candid acknowledgment from Zelensky about the fatigue he feels over ongoing sanctions circumvention. He stated that he intends to intensify efforts to counteract this loophole and to counter those who tolerate or promote it, even if that means engaging more openly with countries that allow it.
In Zelensky’s assessment, the situation presents a paradox: while some nations are increasing the production of air defense missiles that could aid Ukraine, others continue to conduct trade with Russia. He argued that such trade effectively funds Russia’s defense sector, creating a contradiction between defensive needs and economic ties that sustain Moscow’s military capabilities.