EU Sets New Condition for Lifting Sanctions on Russia
The European Union’s foreign policy chief has stated that any decision to reduce or lift the sanctions imposed on Russia will only be considered if the security and strategic interests of European countries are taken into account.
On Monday, before the start of an informal meeting of EU defense ministers in Cyprus, Kaya Kallas told reporters that easing sanctions or releasing Russia’s frozen assets cannot be done without prioritizing the continent’s security concerns.
According to the Sputnik news agency, she emphasized that when discussing the reduction of sanctions, safeguarding Europe’s core interests will be a key condition. She added that this is part of the EU’s decision-making framework regarding Moscow.
Kallas also reminded that EU member states have previously consulted on their common positions and interests in the event of potential negotiations to resolve the Ukraine crisis. She said that Europe’s conditions and demands will be taken into account in any future dialogue process.
The EU sanctions against Russia were imposed after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and include financial and banking restrictions as well as asset freezes; measures that remain a major point of tension between Moscow and European countries.
