Zelensky told reporters he had discussed a new EU sanctions package with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Speaking at a joint news conference in Kyiv with von der Leyen, Zelensky said the speed of the EU sanctions campaign against Russia had "slightly slowed down" and should be stepped up, the Reuters news agency reported.
"We can see that the pace of Europe's sanctions has slightly slowed down while the terrorist-state, on the contrary, is increasing its pace of adapting to sanctions," Zelensky said, as quoted by Reuters.
He added: "It's worth catching up and fixing (this). We believe that we can do it."
Von der Leyen said the 27-nation bloc would have a new package of sanctions against Russia in place for the February 24 anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to Reuters.
She told reporters that the EU was making Russian President Vladimir Putin "pay for his atrocious war."
She added that Russia was "paying a heavy price" as sanctions were "eroding its economy, throwing it back by a generation."
"We will keep on turning up the pressure further," she declared.
Von der Leyen also praised Ukraine's "determination to forge ahead on your European path."
"You are taking notable steps forward to meet our recommendations, while at the same time fighting an invasion," she said.
"We will continue to support your efforts on making further progress," she added.
More than a dozen top EU officials arrived in Kyiv on Thursday, with pledges of more military, financial and political aid to Ukraine, news outlets reported.
Officials described the trip as a symbolic visit designed to highlight support for Ukraine nearly a year after Russia’s invasion.
Zelensky warned in a video address to the nation on Wednesday night that there was "a certain increase in the occupiers' offensive actions at the front" in the east of his country and that "the situation is becoming even more severe."
Zelensky said: “The enemy is trying to gain at least something now to show on the anniversary of the invasion that Russia allegedly has some chances.”
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov warned on Wednesday night that Russia was mobilising hundreds of thousands of new troops and planning a major new offensive around the one-year anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Zelensky said earlier this week that Kyiv was finalizing preparations for a Ukraine-EU summit scheduled for Friday.
He added that Ukraine was also preparing a package of new social, legal and political reforms.
In June last year, EU leaders formally approved Ukraine as a candidate to join the 27-nation bloc, in a move hailed by many as historic.
Zelensky said at the time that the EU's decision was "a unique and historical moment." He added that "Ukraine's future is within the EU."
Thursday is day 344 of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
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Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters