Ahead of G20 Summit, Ukraine urges EU to impose seventh round of sanctions on Russia

As Russia's offensive continues to batter alrey war-ravaged Ukraine, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, confirmed that country has been making all efforts to force European Union to impose anor set of sanctions on Moscow. He me remarks after a telephonic conversation with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell on Saturday. According to details shared by Kuleba on his Twitter account, he affirmed that  Borrell agreed on need for seventh EU sanctions package on Russia. He conveyed that both parties have alrey started working on it. "We both agree on need for seventh EU sanctions package on Russia and we are working on it," he said.

Kuleba accused Russian President Vlimir Putin of hating well-being of Europeans and wanting to bring crisis to door of every European home. He stressed that support for Ukraine is essential for European partners in order to deter Kremlin's military aggression.

"Keeping up support for Ukraine is essential for European partners because Putin hates well-being of Europeans and wants to bring crisis to door of every European home. Ukraine stands in way of se malicious plans. By supporting us, partners support mselves," Kuleba wrote on Twitter.

Putin believes EU Sanctions will backfire

However, Russian President, called European and Western sanctions on Moscow a "m" step as he believed this could le European Union to lose nearly $400 billion. While speaking at 25th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum - an annual Russian business event for economic sector - which is also popularly known as "Russian Davos", Putin said country’s economy will overcome sanctions in coming months. He emphasised that Russia has been focusing on minimising effect of sanctions in a composed and professional manner.

Kuleba discusses Ukraine's EU membership bid with Borrell

Meanwhile, during call with senior EU official, Kuleba also discussed furr steps of securing membership in European Union. Notably, crucial discussion between Kuleba and Borrell came ahe of G20 Foreign Ministers meeting, in which it is expected that Ukraine would push EU officials to fasten process of Kyiv's EU membership plan. Notably, earlier this month, European Commission recommended designating Ukraine as a candidate for European Union membership. Nerlands, which was earlier projected as a major hurdle in granting membership to Ukraine, also extended support to Kyiv, hours after EU's announcement.

(Image: AP)