Europe does not agree to lift sanctions on Russia

Ukraine says Russia's conditions for a ceasefire in the Black Sea are unrealistic, while Europe says now is not the time to lift sanctions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a summit of pro-Kyiv countries in Paris on March 27. Speaking after the conference, Mr. Zelensky said that Russia's conditions for reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Black Sea were "unrealistic", according to Reuters.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on March 27.

The Ukrainian leader accused Russia of deliberately stalling for time to gain more advantages on the battlefield. Russia had previously agreed to implement the Black Sea initiative if the West lifted all sanctions against Russian ships, the Russian Agricultural Bank and financial institutions supporting trade in agriculture and industry.

Mr Zelensky said that lifting sanctions on Russia at this time would be a "disaster for diplomacy".

In separate press conferences after the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said that now was not the time to lift sanctions on Russia.

Mr Macron said allies had agreed to continue to put pressure on Russia and the tanker fleet accused of helping it smuggle oil exports to evade sanctions.

The Élysée Palace chief said Europe was committed to continuing to support Ukraine and its military so they are in the best position possible. He said the parties were continuing to work on the issue of sending forces to support the ceasefire agreement in Ukraine.

European leaders from the pro-Ukraine group pose for a group photo at a conference on March 27 in Paris.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also criticized Russia for setting conditions to avoid a ceasefire while continuing the offensive, saying US President Donald Trump was right to accuse Russia of stalling.

Mr Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also echoed Mr Macron's view that it was not yet time to lift sanctions on Russia. Mr Scholz said that doing so before peace was achieved would be a "grave mistake". The outgoing German leader criticised Russia for always adding conditions, showing that it was not interested in real peace.

Russia has not commented on the above statements. The Russian Defense Ministry on March 27 accused Ukraine of violating its commitment not to attack energy infrastructure by carrying out three such attacks using drones in the past 24 hours, according to RT. The Ukrainian military denied the accusations on the same day.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chau-au-khong-dong-y-do-bo-cam-van-nga-185250327215406564.htm