In a conversation with Josep Borrell, Denys Shmyhal called on the European Union to designate russia as a state sponsor of terrorism

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, during a video conference with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, called on the EU to recognize russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, as its army launches systematic and major terror attacks against the civilian population.

"Yesterday, the russians killed more than 23 people, including three children, with a rocket attack on the center of Vinnytsia. More than one and a half hundred citizens were at hospitals, dozens of those being in serious condition. Dismantling debris is prolonged. This morning, russia fired at two universities in the center of Mykolaiv. That is, the enemy purposefully destroys educational institutions before the beginning of the academic year. Shelling of the station in Kramatorsk, the shopping center in Kremenchuk. All those are acts of terrorism," the Prime Minister emphasized.

Denys Shmyhal thanked Josep Borrell for his personal clear position regarding the crimes committed by russia in Ukraine.

The Head of Government also emphasized the importance of pursuing the policy of toughening sanctions against the russian federation.

"We are waiting for the seventh package. That it will contain so-called secondary sanctions. In the future, we must continue disconnecting russian banks from SWIFT, prohibit the entry of ships flying the flag of EU member states into russian seaports, introduce sanctions against russian cryptocurrency assets, impose a ban on russian mass media in Europe - this is critical for both Ukraine and Europe in order to avoid hybrid influences and disinformation," said Denys Shmyhal.

The Prime Minister also noted that Ukraine expects the new sanctions package to block imports of iron ore and energy resources from russia, as well as to expand individual sanctions against russian officials and functionaries.