President Zelenskiy says Ukraine discussed sanctions on Russia with Britain

Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine has been in contact with Britain over the “sensitive” issue of sanctions on Russia and expects further bilateral discussions this week. He stressed that coordinated sanctions from allies remain one of the most effective tools for influencing Moscow.

May 21, 2026

Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar/Reuters

President Zelenskiy says Ukraine discussed sanctions on Russia with Britain

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to the media as he arrives to attend an informal European leaders' summit in Ayia Napa, Cyprus April 23, 2026.

Yves Herman/Reuters

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Ukraine had been in contact with Britain on Wednesday, sent signals on the "sensitive" issue of sanctions on Russia and hoped to discuss the issue further this week.

"This issue is always very sensitive... We coveyed our signals on the matter to London," he said in his nightly video address. "We expect that everything will be discussed this week on a bilateral level."

Zelenskiy did not refer directly to Britain's decision to continue to allow imports of diesel and jet fuel refined from Russian crude in third countries, but said sanctions from its allies were the most effective means of influencing Russia.

-Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar/Reuters