Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenky accused Russia of deliberate delay of peace negotiations on the extension of his three -year invasion because US President Donald Trump is seeking an immediate ceasefire.
After recent interviews in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian officials – the first direct negotiations in more than three years – were expressed by frustrations from Moscow.
“It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue its war and occupation,” he said Zelena, rejecting the Russian delegation as “empty heads” at the negotiating table.
Trump claims a “breakthrough” despite any ceasefire
Trump, which on Monday (May 19) organized separate phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenky, described his two -hour interview with Putin as a breakthrough. The US President has repeatedly promised to end the war quickly if he is re -elected.
Trump said that the ceasefire agreement could happen immediately, although Putin refused to agree to a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
Instead, Putin suggested working on a “memorandum” that indicates a potential plan and different positions to end the conflict.
New British Sanctions for Russia
The United Kingdom, along with the European Union, announced fresh sanctions against Russia focused on the intervention of Moscow’s “shadow fleet” of petroleum tankers and related financial societies on Tuesday 20 May, which helped Russia avoid previous sanctions on the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Focus on Russian leaks from oil exports
New British sanctions specifically focus on the network of oil tankers and transport companies used by Russia to circumvent the price of $ 60 for oil exports stored by the G7 and EU at the beginning of this year. This “shadow fleet” was helpful in maintaining Russian oil revenue despite international sanctions.
By limiting the operation of these vessels and financial institutions that support them, the United Kingdom seeks to tighten economic pressure on Moscow and further reduce its ability to finance war efforts.
European efforts
New measures are part of a wider European pressure to reinforce sanctions against Russia after the failure of recent peace interviews mediated by US President Donald Trump.
The chairman of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen noted that further sanctions are ready to maintain pressure on Moscow until they disagree with the ceasefire.
Kyiv, Europe urges us new sanctions
Kiev and European allies pushed the US into new sanctions after Putin refused personal conversations with Zelecky in Turkey.
Green stressed the importance of maintaining pressure on Moscow.
“Russian oil, energy infrastructure, banks and financial schemes – these are areas that hurt Russia the most, and therefore most contribute to peace,” he said.
(Tagstotranslate) Ukrainian-Russian peace negotiations
