This is our leverage: Callas said that there are no reasons to lift sanctions against Russia

The head of the EU foreign policy department, Kaya Callas, said on Friday that there is no reason to lift sanctions against Russia, reports UNN citing Barrons.

“We definitely need sanctions. This is our leverage, and it would be very strange to give it up,” Callas told reporters.

“Nothing has changed. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has not changed his goals, and nothing has changed on the ground. Therefore, there is no reason to lift sanctions.”

Let’s add

The EU has imposed 15 rounds of unprecedented sanctions against Moscow since the Kremlin invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

The next decision on the extension of sanctions must be adopted unanimously by the 27 EU member states by January 31.

But Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán – one of Trump’s closest allies in the EU and the most Russia-friendly leader – has refused to agree to continue talks with Trump’s team after he takes office.

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Orban said on Friday that Brussels must adapt to the changed situation as “a new era begins”.

“It’s time to throw sanctions out the window and establish a system of relations with Russia without sanctions. It’s still a long way off, but we have to work on it,” he told state radio in his regular interview.

“Now the signals from Brussels are not encouraging,” he added.

Trump, who will take office on Monday, has promised to strike a deal to quickly end the war in Ukraine, prompting fears that he could force Kyiv to make painful concessions to Moscow.

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“Whatever the negotiations are, we will be in a much weaker position” if sanctions are lifted prematurely, Callas said.

“I also don’t think it’s in the United States’ interest to waive sanctions now.”

What else do you need to know?

European diplomats are concerned about Hungary’s delay as the clock ticks down until the sanctions expire at the end of the month.

If the measures are not implemented, it could allow Moscow to seize more than 200 billion euros ($205 billion) in frozen assets of central banks in Europe.

Meanwhile, Moscow has shown no sign of easing its brutal push to seize territory in eastern Ukraine, which has destroyed a number of towns and villages.