Russia wants sanctions to be lifted before ceasefire with Ukraine

Russia has said that some Western sanctions must be lifted before it begins a maritime ceasefire with Ukraine. Within hours of the U.S. announcing that the two sides had agreed to halt strikes in the Black Sea in separate deals, the Kremlin said it would only take place once sanctions on a number of Russian banks were lifted. 

The demands include revoking sanctions on the state agricultural bank, Rosselkhozbank and restoring the firm’s access to the SWIFT international payment



system. On the other hand, the European Union said the unconditional withdrawal of all Russian military forces from the entire territory of Ukraine would be needed for any changes to the sanctions regime against Moscow.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said that Moscow launched an overnight drone attack on the port city of Mykolaiv. The maritime ceasefire was announced by the U.S. after peace talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia.