EU bosses say now is not the time to lift Russia's sanctions

EU bosses say now is not the time to lift Russia's sanctions

The European allies of Ukraine have made it clear that now is not the right time to lift sanctions against Russia. After Moscow had announced, this was only done on the condition that some sanctions are relaxed to agree to a deal mediated by the USA to end the fights in the Black Sea.

a uniform signal from Europe

The leaders of the UK, France and Germany on Thursday at a summit confirmed that Europe against Russia . This broadcast a strong and apparently coordinated message to the Trump administration, which explained that it still evaluated the demands of the Kremlin.

meeting of the supporters

The statements followed the so -called “coalition of the willing” in Paris, where it was discussed how support for Kiev can be strengthened and what role one could play if a peace agreement is concluded with Russia. Despite existing differences in the guided tours of the reactions to the Situation, everyone agreed on the rejection of Russia's demand to relax the sanctions.

statements by the state leaders

"There is complete clarity that the time for the lifting of the sanctions is not now," said British Prime Minister Keir Strandmer. "On the contrary-what we have discussed is how we can increase the sanctions to support the US initiative and to bring Russia to the negotiating table by further pressure from this group of countries," emphasized Strandmer and chose a conciliatory tone compared to the United States.

reinforcement of the sanctions required

Straße described the meeting as "very constructive" and said that more than 30 countries, including the European allies of Ukraine and NATO officials, took part. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed to Starrmer and described the end of the sanctions as "serious mistakes". "It makes no sense to end sanctions as long as peace is not actually achieved," added Scholz.

news from the USA and Russia

This week, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to end the fights in the Black Sea. However, Moscow soon made it clear that the agreement would only be implemented if some of the sanctions that were imposed on Ukraine against Russian banks and exports are lifted. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that the United States will "evaluate" the conditions of Russia for a partially ceasefire in the Black Sea.

clear commitment to support Ukraine

"It was completely clear that Russia tried to win time and play games. We have to say that very clearly," added Starmer and spoke to the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj at his side. Selenskyj also called for "more pressure" and "more sanction packages" against Russia. The countries at the summit in Paris agreed that "there will be no lifting of any sanctions until Russia ended this war". He warned that Russia delays the talks to get the United States into endless, senseless discussions about false "conditions" just to gain time and annex other areas.

outlook on future negotiations

"Putin wants to negotiate territories from a stronger position. He only thinks of the war," Selenskyj concluded his statements. The developments indicate that the Russian armed forces are preparing for new offensive against the Sumy, Charkiw and Saporischschja regions in Ukraine.

Post by CNNS Daria Tarasova-Markina and Jennifer Hansler.