EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Thursday, after participating in the Paris summit, that “it has become very clear” that sanctions against Russia must be maintained, according to Agerpres. She further stated that pressure on Russia must be maintained
“We must maintain pressure on Russia. It has become very clear that the sanctions remain in place. What we want is a just and sustainable peace agreement. That is our objective,” von der Leyen said in a video posted on social media.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says it is “not the time” to lift economic sanctions against Russia, after the Kremlin announced it would accept a US-brokered ceasefire for ending hostilities in the Black Sea only if certain sanctions were relaxed.
“There is absolute clarity on this matter. On the contrary – what we discussed was how we could increase the intensity of sanctions to support the American initiative and in an attempt to bring Russia to the negotiating table through pressure from this group of countries,” the British Prime Minister said on Thursday at the European countries summit in Paris.
Premier Starmer described the discussions at the “Volunteer Coalition” meeting as “very constructive,” saying leaders from 30 states were invited, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO officials.
“We have absolute clarity that Russia is trying to buy time and is playing with us. We want to be absolutely clear on this matter,” Starmer said, speaking in front of reporters alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky himself called for more pressure and more “packages of sanctions” against Russia.
Representatives of the participating states agreed that “sanctions will not be lifted in any way until Russia gives up its war.”
, The Kremlin set new uncompromising conditions, trying to obtain as many concessions as possible from the Trump administration – the price for the ceasefire that Russia wants is the relaxation or elimination of economic sanctions that have affected its economy over the last three years.
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