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EU Says Full Withdrawal of Russian Forces from Ukraine is Key Condition for Lifting Sanctions

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Maryna_kulakova
Maryna Kulakova
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EU Says Full Withdrawal of Russian Forces from Ukraine is Key Condition for Lifting Sanctions
A car with the Russian sign Z for the war in Ukraine in a village destroyed during fierce battles between Ukrainian forces and Russian invading troops in 2022 on February 20, 2025 in Kamyanka, Ukraine. (Source: Getty Images)

The key condition for lifting sanctions on Russia is the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine, stated Lead European spokeswoman for Foreign Affairs and Security Anitta Hipper in a comment to Suspilne on March 26.

According to Hipper, EU sanctions do not target the trade of agricultural goods, including food products, grain, and fertilizers, between Russia and third-party countries. The European Union aims to pressure Russia through sanctions to reduce its ability to wage war.

“Ending Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression in Ukraine and the unconditional withdrawal of all Russian armed forces from Ukrainian territory would be one of the main prerequisites for changing or lifting the sanctions,” Hipper noted.

She also mentioned that the end of Russia’s war against Ukraine would have the most significant and lasting positive impact on global food security.

Russia, following talks with the United States regarding a ceasefire on infrastructure targets, stated that provisions regarding Black Sea security and the restoration of Russian agricultural exports would be activated only after sanctions are lifted from Russian food producers and exporters.

On March 25, US President Donald Trump stated that his administration is currently assessing the conditions outlined by the Kremlin for the implementation of a Black Sea agreement.

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