Finance
Zelenskiy Urges Allies to Keep up Pressure on Russia Ahead of Talks With US
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 22, 2026
3 min readLast updated: March 22, 2026
Quick Summary
Zelenskiy urged allies on March 22, 2026 to intensify sanctions against Russia—targeting its shadow fleet and oil revenues—while U.S.–Ukraine talks continue without Russian participation. He reaffirmed sanctions as key to undermining Russia’s war funding, emphasizing naval enforcement.
Zelenskiy Calls for Harsher Russia Sanctions Before US-Ukraine Negotiations
Sanctions, Negotiations, and the Path to Peace
By Pavel Polityuk
Background on US-Ukraine Talks
KYIV, March 22 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday urged allies to keep up sanctions pressure on Russia ahead of a second day of talks between Ukrainian and U.S. delegations on ways to end the four-year-old war, triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russian representatives were not present at the latest talks, which opened in Florida on Saturday. They were originally expected to attend the negotiations, which were due to take place in Abu Dhabi.
The U.S. team is led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law.
Zelenskiy's Call for Tougher Sanctions
Targeting Russia's Shadow Fleet
Zelenskiy, who said on Saturday talks should continue if there was to be an agreement, on Sunday called for tougher action against Russia's so-called shadow fleet and for Moscow to be denied oil revenues.
"Revenues give Russia a sense of impunity and the ability to continue the war. That is why pressure must continue and sanctions must work," Zelenskiy said on X.
"Russia's shadow fleet must not feel safe in European waters or anywhere else. Tankers that serve the war budget can and must be stopped and blocked, not just let go," he added.
Recent Actions Against the Shadow Fleet
The French Navy seized an oil tanker in the Western Mediterranean last week that President Emmanuel Macron said was part of Russia's shadow fleet, a network of vessels used to export oil despite Western sanctions.
The shadow fleet, which has grown following Western sanctions on Russia aimed at curbing Moscow's oil revenues, has helped to keep Russian oil exports flowing.
Peace Plan Proposals and Political Challenges
US-Backed Peace Plan Elements
PEACE WON THROUGH WAR
Elements of the peace plan being promoted by the U.S. include a presidential election in Ukraine, alongside territorial concessions.
Zelenskiy, whose term has already expired, is under renewed pressure from Trump to hold a vote as Washington pushes Kyiv towards a peace deal.
Challenges to Holding Elections
Ukrainian law bars wartime elections, but Zelenskiy has said Ukraine would be ready to hold democratic elections if the U.S. secured a two-month ceasefire to allow time to prepare infrastructure and put security guarantees in place.
Alternative Perspectives on Peace
But Ukraine's former top general, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, now ambassador to Britain and seen as a potential presidential candidate, said Ukraine needed not elections but peace won through war.
"What Ukraine needs is not time to prepare for and hold elections, but a peace won through war, which will secure a future for our children," he wrote in an article published on Sunday by Ukrainian outlet NV.
(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk. Editing by Jane Merriman)
Key Takeaways
- •Zelenskiy pressed for continued pressure on the so‑called shadow fleet and blocking Russia’s oil revenue as essential to weakening Moscow’s war capability (Reuters)
- •France recently seized the tanker “Deyna,” part of Russia’s shadow fleet, illustrating Western enforcement of sanctions (apnews.com)
- •U.S.–Ukraine meetings led by envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are ongoing in Florida, as Russia remains absent from these talks (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Zelenskiy urges allies to keep up pressure on Russia ahead of talks with US
1Why is Zelenskiy urging continued pressure on Russia?
Zelenskiy argues that ongoing sanctions are essential to limiting Russia's oil revenues, which fund its war efforts in Ukraine.
2What is Russia's shadow fleet?
Russia's shadow fleet refers to vessels used to export oil despite Western sanctions, helping Moscow continue its oil exports.
3Who is leading the US delegation in the peace talks with Ukraine?
The US delegation is led by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
4What action did France take against Russia's shadow fleet?
The French Navy seized an oil tanker in the Mediterranean that was part of Russia's shadow fleet to enforce sanctions.
