President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Brussels with President of the European Council António Costa, thanking him for the approval of the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which for the first time includes restrictions against cryptocurrency schemes and a ban on the import of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The Head of State announced this on his social media page following the meeting, which took place ahead of the European Council session.

The President called the adopted package “a very important decision” that strengthens economic pressure on the aggressor state.

“I am grateful to the European Union for the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which was approved today — restrictions against the shadow oil fleet, the banking and financial systems, the ban on the import of Russian LNG, and for the first time, sanctions against crypto schemes and platforms”, — emphasized Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He stressed that sanction pressure must remain one of the key instruments of the West’s joint strategy:

“We must not only defend ourselves, but together with all of Europe and the United States, put pressure on Putin to stop this war”.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed defense issues, the implementation of the European SAFE program, as well as Ukraine’s EU membership prospects and preparations for opening negotiation clusters.

The President thanked António Costa for supporting Ukraine and for the invitation to take part in the European Council meeting.

“It is important that we all act decisively and unitedly. This is what will help force Russia to end its aggression”, — summed up Volodymyr Zelenskyy.