"Russia has great potential": Zelensky talked about the weakening of sanctions

According to him, returning to the countries that run business with Russia in one way or another is a matter of time. However, rigid economic measures can be used as a lever in the negotiation process. Vlasyuk explained that sanctions, embargo and prohibitions on imports of energy resources have "own goals" that can push Moscow to end the war and force it to conclude a peace agreement. It is not about "punishment of any kind.

" Now, as the official noted, it is early to talk about the withdrawal of specific sanctions as a component of the agreement. Ukraine wants to first make sure that the Russian Federation will take significant steps in the direction of peace, and then a discussion may begin. "We have already seen that the Russians are trying to ask some questions, whether to abolish these sanctions, at least some of them, which gives us better understanding of which sanctions are the most painful.

It is always good to know what is the most painful, and we should use this lever wisely," Vlasyuk emphasized. The politician assured that in the case of any long-lasting agreements, Kyiv will seek justice for the people. This will probably include "compensation for Ukrainians", taking into account the consequences of Russia.

"Russia has great potential, especially energy resources, and it would probably be foolish not to try to use it," he said, commenting on the prospects of new European countries agreements on oil and gas after the war. However, he expressed his hope that this would never lead to "complete dependence on Russian energy resources of any kind.

" Vlasyuk added that in the event of a Kremlin's return to "more or less normal policy" regarding his partners and neighbors, he will not be expelled from competitive markets. We will remind, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia will try to delay the peace process. According to him, the response to the enemy offers for ceasefire may be maximum sanctions from the United States.