Negotiations will not lead to lifting of sanctions against Russia – Zelensky

The negotiation process between Ukraine and the aggressor country, the Russian Federation, will in no way influence the lifting of sanctions against Russia.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said this in a video address, Ukrinform reports.

"And let some countries not even expect that certain negotiations will have influence on lifting sanctions against the Russian Federation. The issue of sanctions cannot even be raised until this war is over, until we return everything that belongs to us, and until we restore justice,” the head of state said.

According to Zelensky, sanctions should remain in effect and be further strengthened. And they should not be introduced only for the sake of headlines in the media.

 "Sanctions must be strengthened, toughened weekly, and they must be efficient. Not just for headlines in the media that sanctions have been imposed, but for a real peace. The real one,” he stressed.

Zelensky said that a team of Ukrainian and international experts had already begun work to ensure the quality of the sanctions. The efficiency of the imposed sanctions against Russia is coordinated by the head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, on the side of Ukraine, and by Michael McFaul - on the side of international experts.

As reported, on February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying key infrastructure facilities, conducting massive shelling of residential areas of Ukrainian cities and villages using artillery, multiple rocket launchers and ballistic missiles.

Martial law was imposed in Ukraine and general mobilization was announced.