UK Foreign Secretary: "Sanctions Can Be Lifted If Russia Agrees to Complete Ceasefire and Withdrawal"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The UK government has suggested that it could lift existing sanctions on Russia if Russia halts its invasion of Ukraine.

On the 26th (local time), Liz Truss, UK Foreign Secretary, said in an interview with the British media outlet The Telegraph, "The sanctions imposed on Russia will only be lifted when Russia declares a complete ceasefire and withdrawal," adding, "At the same time, Russia must promise not to launch any further attacks."

She further explained that if Russia resumes attacks, the lifted sanctions could be reimposed.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a similar statement. In an interview with US public broadcaster NPR on the 16th, Secretary Blinken said, "The sanctions against Russia are not permanent themselves but a kind of means," and added, "My hope is that this war ends and that after Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, stops the invasion, the sanctions will eventually end."

Since the outbreak of the war, the West has imposed comprehensive economic sanctions on Russian banks, companies, and others, leading to Russia's exclusion from the international community and even raising speculation about a national default.

Truss's remarks came after Russia announced it would concentrate its efforts on the eastern Donbas region. The day before, Sergey Rudskoy, First Deputy Chief of the Russian General Staff, said, "'Phase 1 operation' has mostly been completed," and "the Russian military will focus on the complete liberation of the Donbas region."

This has led to analysis suggesting that Russia, which initially cited the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine as its goals at the time of the invasion, might be scaling back its original objectives. The Russian ground forces' advance has stalled in various areas, including around the capital Kyiv.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.