President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is preparing an additional mobilization in Russia and plans to expand the war.

The head of state made the statement during a joint media briefing with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Today, we discussed (with Martin — ed.) the threats and the real challenges that exist right now, ahead of autumn, as Putin is preparing new strikes against Ukraine and, in our view, preparing additional mobilization in Russia and an expansion of the war," Zelensky said.

Zelensky noted that decisions on the European Union’s new sanctions package against Russia’s aggression are particularly important at this stage.

"I am grateful to every European leader and every European country for this support. This is already the 21st sanctions package. Today, Micheál assured me that he would work on the 22nd sanctions package. We will work with other partners outside the European Union so that they also incorporate the EU’s new sanctions into their own legal frameworks. Synchronizing sanctions is of great importance," the President said.

Also, Zelensky emphasized that Russian strikes have continued every day for more than four and a half years of the full-scale war. He said Russian forces continue to attack Ukrainian cities and villages.

"There has not been a single day when the Russian military has not struck our civilians. And this says a lot about whom we are fighting and what we are defending," Zelensky said.

The President expressed gratitude to the Irish Prime Minister for supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

"We appreciate that during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, you are here with us, with Ukraine. You support Ukraine, you see what is happening. You know what our defense needs are, the needs to protect lives," Zelensky said.

As reported by Ukrinform, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin arrived in Kyiv on July 23 for a visit to the Ukrainian capital. Martin began his visit by paying tribute to fallen Ukrainian warriors in Kyiv.