Ukrainian Official Presses Europe on Financial Measures Against Russia Amid Ceasefire Talks
Andriy Yermak emphasizes the importance of maintaining financial pressure on Russia as negotiations commence in Jeddah.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has urged European nations to sustain financial pressure on Russia, despite an atmosphere of potential rapprochement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Yermak's comments were made as he arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for discussions with U.S. officials about the parameters of a potential ceasefire.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading these talks to assess Ukraine's readiness to make concessions in the interest of peace.
Yermak stated that Europe must remain unified in countering Russian aggression and deterring future hostilities.
On the same day, Ukraine executed what was described as its largest drone strike on Moscow, signaling ongoing military operations despite diplomatic discussions.
Yermak called for Europe to preserve the Russian assets currently held under embargo in European banks, advocating that the funds should instead be allocated to support Ukraine’s financial recovery.
He identified approximately €300 billion (£253 billion) in frozen Russian assets as a crucial element of Europe’s strategy against Russia, asserting that allowing these resources to be released would have dire repercussions.
Yermak emphasized the importance of maintaining sanctions to raise the costs of any renewed conflict for Russia and remarked, "Europe cannot allow a ceasefire which serves only to allow Russia to rearm, rebuild its forces and come back for more Ukrainian lands and resources."
While promoting the potential for peace, Yermak stressed that any agreement must be "just and sustainable." He acknowledged the European Union's recent commitment to increase defense spending and said that stronger sanctions would help eliminate financial system loopholes that indirectly support Russia’s military efforts.
Yermak did not criticize the U.S. decision to limit military aid or intelligence access for Ukraine, expressing gratitude for U.S. support.
However, he endorsed the idea of Europe increasing its strategic autonomy in defense matters, acknowledging a long-term necessity for European self-reliance.
Rubio suggested that a favorable outcome from the talks could lead to a restoration of U.S. military aid for Ukraine.
During this period of negotiation, military leaders from 30 European and NATO countries convened in Paris to discuss and clarify security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a negotiated truce with Russia, aiming to make explicit the nature of these assurances.
Yermak's comments were made as he arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for discussions with U.S. officials about the parameters of a potential ceasefire.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading these talks to assess Ukraine's readiness to make concessions in the interest of peace.
Yermak stated that Europe must remain unified in countering Russian aggression and deterring future hostilities.
On the same day, Ukraine executed what was described as its largest drone strike on Moscow, signaling ongoing military operations despite diplomatic discussions.
Yermak called for Europe to preserve the Russian assets currently held under embargo in European banks, advocating that the funds should instead be allocated to support Ukraine’s financial recovery.
He identified approximately €300 billion (£253 billion) in frozen Russian assets as a crucial element of Europe’s strategy against Russia, asserting that allowing these resources to be released would have dire repercussions.
Yermak emphasized the importance of maintaining sanctions to raise the costs of any renewed conflict for Russia and remarked, "Europe cannot allow a ceasefire which serves only to allow Russia to rearm, rebuild its forces and come back for more Ukrainian lands and resources."
While promoting the potential for peace, Yermak stressed that any agreement must be "just and sustainable." He acknowledged the European Union's recent commitment to increase defense spending and said that stronger sanctions would help eliminate financial system loopholes that indirectly support Russia’s military efforts.
Yermak did not criticize the U.S. decision to limit military aid or intelligence access for Ukraine, expressing gratitude for U.S. support.
However, he endorsed the idea of Europe increasing its strategic autonomy in defense matters, acknowledging a long-term necessity for European self-reliance.
Rubio suggested that a favorable outcome from the talks could lead to a restoration of U.S. military aid for Ukraine.
During this period of negotiation, military leaders from 30 European and NATO countries convened in Paris to discuss and clarify security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a negotiated truce with Russia, aiming to make explicit the nature of these assurances.
