Putin is “confident,” and Zelenskiy wants oil sanctions imposed

President Vladimir Putin is upbeat, saying that the objectives of Russia’s “special military operation” will be reached, despite the United States’ prediction of a “longer and bloodier phase” of the battle.

According to Ukraine, Russia is likely to expand its offensive in the eastern Donbas region this week, which has been partially held by self-proclaimed separatist republics. Russia’s objectives, according to Putin, are to safeguard the people of the region.

Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has requested that the European Union’s next round of sanctions on Russia include oil as well as all banks, and that EU member states declare when they plan to stop purchasing Russian goods.