Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants Germany to influence Hungary to approve the 18th package sanctions The European Union. As an UNIAN correspondent reports, Zelensky said this at the beginning of a meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful in Kyiv.

"We are grateful for the support of the 18th sanctions package against Russian aggression. I know that European leaders are very close to this package. I know that there are some, so far, misunderstandings with official Budapest, and here, for our part, we would like to say that we are turning to Germany as strong leaders of Europe regarding your dialogue with Hungary," Zelenskyy noted.

The head of state wants Germany to influence Hungary.

"I think it is in the interests of all of Europe that the packages against Russian aggression work, that Russia feels the high cost of this war, and it is precisely because of the sanctions that their economy will suffer. Of course, this will reduce Russia's allocation of money for the war machine," Zelensky stressed.

At the same time, as the head of state said, Ukraine, for its part, is behaving very diplomatically and constructively, and is not responding to Hungary's corresponding steps.

In particular, Ukraine would like"us to remain in a union of partners and friends."

"Of course, Ukraine has something to answer. But, nevertheless, we are partners, and we have one enemy. This is Russia," Zelensky added.

In turn, German Minister Wadeful noted that Germany will be on Ukraine's side in the future.

"Regarding the Russian war of aggression in violation of international law, we know that you are defending not only the sovereignty and freedom of Ukraine, but also the sovereignty and freedom of Europe. And thus, of Germany. And therefore, we support you. It doesn't matter what tasks we will face. Both you and we, whatever the situation, we will find the right answers to this," Vadeful emphasized.

The German Foreign Minister added that Zelensky was absolutely right to note the need to increase pressure on Russia regarding a ceasefire and peace negotiations.

"I want to thank Ukraine for its great readiness for this, because we know that Russia is delaying and we cannot accept this," the minister added.

He noted that appropriate measures are being taken, and an example is the preparation for the approval of the 18th package of sanctions.

"We want to convince all European partners that this package is effective. And our American colleagues as well, so that the US takes appropriate measures too. Putin should know that if he does something bad, it will not go unnoticed. And the clearer we formulate it, the better," said Vaddeful.

Sanctions against Russia - latest news

As UNIAN reported, Hungary is trying to systematically block all issues at the European Union level that relate to support for Ukraine. Last week, Hungary and Slovakia decided not to support the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia.

"We did this because the European Union wants to prohibit member states, including Hungary and Slovakia, from buying cheap Russian natural gas and cheap Russian oil," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto explained.

At the same time, on June 30, it became known that EU extends sanctions against Russia for six months , namely until January 31, 2026. Such sanctions include restrictions on trade, finance, energy, technology and dual-use goods, industry, transport, and luxury goods.

The EU is confident that sanctions against Moscow should be maintained"as long as the Russian Federation's illegal actions continue to violate the norms of international law."