The European Union (EU) has rebuffed Russia’s demand to lift sanctions on its key agricultural bank as part of a U.S.-brokered cease-fire deal with Ukraine, with Brussels saying restrictions will stay in place until Moscow fully withdraws its forces from Ukrainian territory.
European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement on March 26 that there will be no easing of sanctions unless Russia halts what the EU describes as its “unprovoked and unjustified aggression” against Ukraine and pulls out its troops.
“The end of the Russian unprovoked and unjustified aggression in Ukraine and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian military forces from the entire territory of Ukraine would be one of the main preconditions to amend or lift sanctions,” Hipper said.
However, shortly after the U.S. announcement, the Kremlin released its own statement conditioning the agreement on the lifting of a series of sanctions—chiefly those affecting Rosselkhozbank (the Russian Agricultural Bank) and related financial institutions.
Moscow said the maritime cease-fire will not take effect until Russia regains access to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications global banking system and is allowed to conduct trade, finance, and port operations with fewer restrictions.
Hipper said the EU, in rejecting those terms, remains focused on pressuring Russia to reduce its capacity to wage war. She said that the EU’s core objective is a “just and lasting peace.”
“The EU’s main focus remains to maximise pressure on Russia, using all tools available, including sanctions, to diminish Russia’s ability to wage its war against Ukraine,” she said.
“At the same time, the EU has consistently supported efforts towards enhancing global food security. EU sanctions are not targeting trade in agricultural goods, including food, grain and fertilisers, in any way, between Russia and third countries. Ending Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine would bring the largest and most lasting positive impact on global food security.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy echoed that stance in an address on the evening of March 25, accusing Russia of misrepresenting the terms of the truce. He said sanctions relief was never part of the cease-fire agreement, which was reached in talks held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“We see how the Russians have already started to manipulate,” Zelenskyy said. “They are already trying to distort the agreements and actually deceive our mediators and the whole world.”
Zelenskyy said Russia, not Ukraine, was holding up progress on a broader cease-fire.
“I also want to remind everyone that since March 11, the U.S. proposal has been on the table for a full and unconditional cease-fire—everywhere, not just on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea,” Zelenskyy said. “It was Russia that refused to accept it. It is Russia’s stance that is prolonging this war.”
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been leading the U.S. diplomatic effort to end the war in Ukraine, said Russia may be stalling on the cease-fire.
“I don’t know,” Trump told Newsmax in an interview on March 25. “I mean, I'll let you know at a certain point. ... I think that Russia wants to see an end to it, but it could be they’re dragging their feet.
“I’ve done it over the years, you know. I don’t want to sign a contract, I want to sort of stay in the game, but maybe I don’t want to do it. ... I’m not sure. But no, I think Russia would like to see it end, and I think Zelenskyy would like to see it end at this point.”
Trump also noted that both sides are suffering heavy casualties, with approximately 2,500 soldiers killed weekly, and expressed a desire to bring the loss of life to an end.
Both Kyiv and Moscow have stated that they expect the United States to enforce any cease-fire deal, while each remains wary of whether the other will honor its commitments.
Meanwhile, the European Commission unveiled a new “EU Preparedness Union Strategy” on March 25, aimed at strengthening the continent’s ability to prevent and respond to emerging threats—from natural disasters and cyberattacks to geopolitical crises and potential armed aggression.
The strategy calls on EU member states to increase stockpiles of critical equipment and urges citizens to keep at least 72 hours’ worth of essential supplies on hand in case of emergencies. It also outlines 30 key actions to improve early warning systems, ensure the continuity of essential services such as health care and clean water, and promote a “preparedness by design” culture across all sectors.
