Brussels has said that only a complete Russian withdrawal from Ukraine would result in EU sanctions on Moscow being lifted or amended, denting U.S. President Donald Trump’s hopes of a quick ceasefire deal.
A European Commission spokesperson told reporters that only the “unconditional withdrawal of all Russian military forces from the entire territory of Ukraine” would see sanctions relaxed.
The announcement comes shortly after Washington said that it had brokered separate deals with Kyiv and Moscow aimed at securing a partial truce.
As part of the agreement with Moscow, the U.S. promised to “help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs and enhance access to ports and payments systems for such transactions.”
But Moscow has said that a maritime ceasefire will only be respected if sanctions on a number of banks are revoked.
The announcement comes shortly after Washington said that it had brokered separate deals with Kyiv and Moscow aimed at securing a partial truce.
As part of the agreement with Moscow, the U.S. promised to “help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs and enhance access to ports and payments systems for such transactions.”
But Moscow has said that a maritime ceasefire will only be respected if sanctions on a number of banks are revoked.
