Next year, Russia's industrial capabilities will enable it to produce 30% more artillery shells than all the countries of the European Union combined.
As reported by a UNIAN correspondent, this was stated by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga at a joint press conference with EU High Representative Josep Borrell in Kyiv.
"According to Ukrainian intelligence, based on the information we have, next year, unless there are appropriate responses or prevention measures, Russia will be able to produce 30% more artillery shells than all the countries of the European Union combined," emphasized the official.
The Foreign Minister believes that this should be strategically considered and prevented right now.
"First of all, I mean the so-called shadow fleet, which currently helps Russia circumvent sanctions to continue trading energy resources and oil. Therefore, it is crucial that further enhancements of the EU's sanctions policy, as well as those of our allies, also focus on this aspect," said Sibiga.
The minister also noted that it is necessary to increase pressure on Russia.
"We must work together on a new - 15th - package of sanctions and intensify sanctions against countries that support Russia's war against Ukraine," added Sibiga.
In turn, Borrell expressed his views regarding the development of the 15th package of sanctions against Russia:
"We need to tighten measures against evasion of these sanctions, as Russia cannot produce without foreign parts, chips, and other components. Therefore, we must use sanctions to isolate Russia's industrial potential from the components they need to import from the rest of the world."
The war in Ukraine continues - important news
As UNIAN reported, on October 30, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that the shadow fleet brings the Russian Federation more revenue from oil exports than Ukraine receives from all its partners. Russia earns between 10 and 12 billion dollars a month from this shadow fleet.