The relaxation of sanctions requires "the conclusion of unjustified and unfair aggression against Ukraine and the unconditional withdrawal of all Russian troops from the full territory of Ukraine", added Hipper.
"The main nonsubjective of the EU is to exert maximum force on Russia utilizing all possible instruments, including sanctions, to reduce Russia's ability to wage war against Ukraine," she added, quoted by the Financial Times.
"Manipulations" and Kremlin demands
The US announced an agreement with Russia on the Black Sea on Tuesday 25 March evening — the day after the talks in Riyadh. According to the White House, an agreement was reached on safe navigation and the resignation of force in the Black Sea. In return, Washington will aid Russian food producers access the global market.
A fewer hours later, the Kremlin published its version of the agreements. The paper stresses that The agreement will enter into force only after the abolition of sanctions from Rosselkhozbank and another Russian banks "involved in ensuring operations on global food trade". In particular, banks must be reconnected to SWIFT and regain access to correspondent accounts in abroad currency, insisted by the Kremlin.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenski called the Kremlin statements “manipulation” and fraud”. “We see how the Russians have already manipulated. They are already trying to twist the agreements and actually trick both our mediators and the full world. The White home has published absolutely clear statements. Anyone can see what's in them. And that's what the Kremlin is lying about again. That the ceasefire government in the Black Sea depends on the abolition of sanctions," said Zelenski.
