Any weakening of sanctions pressure on Russia is manifestation of weakness – Sybiha

Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has warned against weakening sanctions pressure on Russia, which Moscow seeks to achieve amid the conflict in the Middle East.

Sybiha made the corresponding statement at a press conference in Kyiv, answering a question regarding the U.S. Treasury Department’s removal of three Russian-flagged vessels from the sanctions list, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reports.

"Ukraine’s position remains unchanged: to achieve real progress in peace efforts, pressure must continue and intensify. Therefore, any weakening is a manifestation of weakness. There should be no illusions that Russia is trying to play with all these negotiations and meetings," he said at a joint press conference with Irish colleague Helen McEntee.

Sybiha called for abandoning a positive perception of Russia and proceeding from a realistic, tough assessment of Moscow’s actions, upon which pressure must be increased. He also stressed that the Putin regime must understand that "in case of unconstructive behavior," additional pressure tools will be deployed: new sanctions restrictions on a wider range of objects and increased defense support for Ukraine, including long-range weapons.

"That is, the Russian side must realize the unacceptability of its actions and its refusal of peace efforts. We proceed from the fact that the 20th package of sanctions must be adopted in Europe. There should be no relaxations, which Russia is trying to achieve against the background of the situation in the Middle East: that is, to avoid or weaken sanctions on one hand, and on the other hand to profit from the jump in energy prices," the Foreign Minister noted.

The Foreign Minister again emphasized the importance of coordinated transatlantic pressure.

He also called for finalizing the issue of banning the provision of maritime services to Russia’s shadow fleet.

"It is necessary to continue decisive actions and detain this fleet in European ports," Sybiha said, calling for further sanctions on Russian port infrastructure used by both the shadow fleet and for the export of grain stolen from Ukraine.

As reported, the US Treasury Department excluded three Russian-flagged vessels from the sanctions list.