Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called the US’s decision to delist three sanctioned Russian vessels a “manifestation of weakness” on Wednesday.
Speaking alongside Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee in Kyiv, Sybiha said peace in Ukraine could only be achieved by pressuring Moscow to return to the negotiating table.
“Ukraine’s position remains unchanged: In order to achieve real progress in peace efforts, the pressure must continue and intensify. Therefore, any easing [of sanctions] is a manifestation of weakness,” Sybiha said, according to state media Ukrinform.
The US Treasury Department announced its decision to delist the Fesco Moneron, Fesco Magadan, and Sv Nikolay from its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list in a Tuesday press release.
The lifting of sanctions would allow the vessels to access ports and services previously restricted by US sanctions. The US Treasury Department did not specify the reason for its decision in the press release.
Sybiha called for stronger pressure on Moscow via sanctions as it benefits from rising energy prices caused by the US/Israeli war in Iran, where the funding could be used to bolster Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine.
“That is, the Russian side must realize the unacceptability of its actions and the rejection of peaceful efforts. We proceed from the fact that the 20th package of sanctions must be adopted in Europe,” Sybiha said.
“There should be no relaxations, which Russia is trying to achieve against the background of the situation in the Middle East, as well as to use the rise in energy prices,” he added.
The CEO of Russia’s largest oil producer, Rosneft, said its net income in 2025 had plummeted by 73% due to domestic and external impacts, but added that the recent price hikes did not benefit the firm, as the increases were offset by rising freight and insurance costs, among other costs.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 14 that Washington has delayed US-led peace talks with Russia due to the war in Iran, later signaling continued pressure on Kyiv to withdraw from the Donbas – which Russia has failed to capture militarily in 12 years – in exchange for US security guarantees, warning it could walk away if no progress is made.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed Kyiv had misinterpreted the US proposal, but added that Washington could redirect arms supplies elsewhere if necessary.