Sanctions have significantly reduced Russia's revenue, but the easing of restrictions on the energy sector is generating revenue, — Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the sanctions imposed by international partners have significantly impacted the Russian Federation’s financial capabilities and increased its budget deficit to $100 billion by 2026.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy made these remarks in an interview with Le Monde.
“The joint sanctions policy of various countries has directly limited the Russian Federation’s capabilities. For example, by reducing revenues from energy sales,” Zelenskyy noted.
The head of state added that even despite Moscow’s attempts to circumvent the restrictions, the aggressor’s revenues remained lower, and consequently, fewer funds were directed toward the defense sector.
“The Russian Federation’s budget deficit has grown year after year. It will be at its highest by early 2026. By the end of 2025, the Russians had an 83-billion-dollar deficit, plus 19 billion that they carried over to the beginning of 2026. According to our forecasts, the deficit for 2026 was expected to be around 100 billion U.S. dollars,” he explained.
At the same time, Zelenskyy emphasized that following the easing of sanctions on Russia’s oil sector, its revenues are once again measured in billions of dollars, which does not contribute to reducing the intensity of hostilities in Ukraine and sustains the Kremlin’s close ties with Iran.
“Russia will use whatever means it can to assist the Iranian regime,” the President added.
Earlier, Donald Trump stated that easing sanctions on Iranian oil would not affect the course of the war. According to him, this decision is necessary to stabilize the energy market. He believes that Iran is unlikely to receive significant funds from this.
