Ukraine's Zelenskiy welcomes presentation of 19th sanctions package on Russia

(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed on Friday the presentation of the European Union's 19th sanctions package on Russia, saying the measures would have a significant effect on the Russian economy.

"It targets the main drivers of the war economy: energy revenues, finance, high-tech resources, and the military-industrial base," Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

"This is an important step that will increase pressure on the Russian war machine and produce a tangible effect."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the package on Friday, saying she wanted to "give peace a real chance" by persuading Russia to come to the negotiation table and end more than 3-1/2 years of conflict.

The top EU diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said the sanctions sought to "strike where Russia gets its money", including measures to designate 118 new vessels as a shadow fleet and action against Russian financial evasion schemes in third countries.

Member states will now have to discuss the package before adopting it unanimously.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Leslie Adler))