Appropriate to the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister addresses the western states. They should no longer finance the Russian war of aggression and cut trade relations with Moscow.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has called on Western countries to stop imports of Russian goods. "My message is very simple. Kill Russian exports," Kuleba said at the World Economic Forum in Davos. "Stop buying from Russia." The West must not allow Russia to take money for its "war machine". Only "important goods that the West needs" should be exempt from such an import ban, said Kuleba.
A number of international sanctions have already been imposed on Russia for the war of aggression against Ukraine. However, Kyiv has called on Western countries to further increase the pressure on Moscow. So far, the Ukrainian economy has suffered "more from the Russian destruction and attacks than the Russian economy from the sanctions," said Kuleba. "As long as Russia is making money from selling oil and gas, its pockets will be pretty full."
The international community has also been demanding that Russia allow the export of Ukrainian grain for weeks. Ukraine complains that its ports in the Black Sea are blocked by the Russian Navy. Both countries are among the largest wheat exporters and play an important role in global food security.
In view of the food crisis caused by its war against Ukraine, Russia continues to insist on easing western sanctions - but is ready to talk. According to the Interfax agency, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko called for the punitive measures imposed on Russia's export industry and the financial sector to be lifted. In addition, Ukraine must demine all ports, he demanded. Russia would then be ready to secure a "humanitarian passage".
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba dismissed Russia's demands as "blackmail". "Yes, we feel for everyone in the world who is affected by the massive consequences of the Russian blockade," he said in Davos. At the same time, he called on every politician not to allow the sanctions to be lifted. "Before he talks about ending sanctions to save children from starvation, he prefers to come to Ukraine to see the dead children, to talk to the parents whose children were abused by Russian soldiers - and then remain silent ."
