Introduction: As the US-backed Black Sea ceasefire deal hangs in the balance, Moscow has accused the European Union of sabotaging peace efforts by refusing to lift sanctions on Russia. The Kremlin insists that reconnecting the state-owned Rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT network is a non-negotiable condition for progress. With tensions rising between the EU and the Trump administration, and Russia touting its economic resilience despite unprecedented sanctions, the stakes couldn’t be higher. What’s driving this standoff, and what does it mean for global peace?
Kremlin’s Stance: Sanctions Block Peace
Moscow has sharply criticized the EU’s declaration that sanctions on Russia will remain intact, despite the Black Sea deal’s reliance on their removal. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized, "An integral part of the Black Sea deal is the lifting of sanctions on a Russian bank," referring to Rosselkhozbank, the primary financial institution for Russia’s agricultural sector. Cut off from the SWIFT financial messaging system due to EU sanctions, its reconnection is seen as a prerequisite for securing peace in the region.
"If European countries don’t want to go down this path, it means they don’t want to go down the path of peace," Peskov warned, aligning Moscow’s efforts with Washington’s while accusing the EU of obstructing progress. The Moscow Times reported the full statement here.
EU’s Position: Sanctions as a ‘Powerful Lever’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen defended the EU’s hardline stance, stating, "The sanctions are very significant; they are painful; they have an impact on the Russian economy, and they represent a powerful lever." She insisted they would stay in place "until a just and lasting peace is established in Ukraine," though she left room for potential relief "when the war is over." RT covered her remarks in detail.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed this sentiment, calling sanctions relief a "grave mistake" without a ceasefire first. The Zelensky government in Ukraine also opposes easing measures, aligning with Europe’s reluctance to yield leverage over Moscow.
Trump vs. EU: A Growing Divide
The Kremlin has framed the EU’s intransigence as a direct challenge to President Trump’s "good-faith efforts" to broker peace. As the Trump administration pushes for a resolution, the EU’s refusal to budge on sanctions has deepened transatlantic tensions. Russian sources claim Europe’s stance is less about principle and more about maintaining control in the Ukraine conflict, even at the cost of derailing a ceasefire.
Russia’s Economic Resilience
Despite facing a record 28,595 sanctions from the West, Russia asserts it’s thriving. President Vladimir Putin recently boasted that the Russian economy is now the world’s fourth largest by purchasing power parity, trailing only China, the US, and India. Official data shows a 4.1% growth rate in 2024, surpassing forecasts of 3.9%. "The sanctions have not broken us," RT quoted Russian officials as saying, highlighting Moscow’s defiance amid Western pressure.
Developments on Russia-US Talks on Ukraine: 🧵
— Fiorella Isabel (@FiorellaIsabelM) March 26, 2025
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio: Russia's conditions to restore the Black Sea Initiative demand Rosselkhozbank be re-connected to SWIFT & lifting of EU sanctions. pic.twitter.com/TMbdi2riNa
What’s at Stake?
The EU’s refusal to ease sanctions threatens to unravel the fragile Black Sea deal, escalating tensions with both Russia and the Trump administration. As Moscow doubles down on its demands and Europe clings to its "powerful lever," the prospect of peace hangs in limbo. With Russia’s economy holding strong, the West may need to rethink its strategy—or risk prolonging the conflict indefinitely.
Author: Planet Today via TheMoscowTimes.com and RT
По материалам: http://www.planet-today.com/2025/03/eu-sanctions-stance-on-russia-threatens.html