Zelenskyy: Russia will feel strong impact of Western sanctions from summer 2026

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Western sanctions will become noticeable for the Russian economy from the beginning of summer 2026.

He said this during a meeting with journalists, according to «Suspilne».

«June 2026 — we all hope that there will be no more war. We really do. But at the same time, we understand that the Russians will feel the economic impact of the sanctions. Already from those that have been adopted. And we believe that from that moment on, starting in the summer of 2026, their economy will feel it strongly», Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Advertising

At the same time, the President stressed that the biggest challenge now is the growth of the Russian military-industrial complex.

«We see that it will not be able to grow next year, it will decrease. And it will continue to decline. That is, the economy will completely change, they will spend everything on the war», Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.

He also stressed the need to increase sanctions pressure from the West, in particular the United States.

«We are waiting for sanctions from the United States of America. Europe has done it, there is the 17th package. We have been discussing the details of the 18th package to make it stronger, so far in private with our colleagues from the European Union — Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa. I think there may be strong things there. If one of the leaders does not block it, then there may be strong things», the president said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also suggested that the delay in new US sanctions could be due to expectations of concessions from Russia.

«I think America was very hopeful, and I think that now they have a slightly diminished feeling that Putin really wants the war to end», the President of Ukraine said.

On 20 May, the European Union approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia. The main focus is on Russia's shadow fleet and the profits of the Russian energy sector.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is considering imposing new sanctions against Russia this week.

Previously, Trump avoided putting more pressure on Putin, hoping that personal connections would help bring about an end to the war. However, after a recent telephone conversation with the Russian leader, during which he effectively rejected the possibility of a truce, the US president's position began to change.