Ukraine’s European allies say now is not the time for lifting sanctions on Russia, after Moscow said it would only agree to a US-brokered deal on ending fighting in the Black Sea if some sanctions were eased.

Russia has said some Western sanctions must be lifted before it begins a maritime ceasefire with Ukraine. Within hours of the US announcing the two sides had agreed to halt strikes in the Black Sea in separate deals,

Russia is stalling progress towards a peace deal in Ukraine, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday after a meeting with Western allies in Paris, adding that now was not the right time to lift sanctions against Moscow.

After three days of intense negotiations, the Trump administration, Ukraine and Russia agreed to a limited ceasefire in which the key details, including what was covered and how it will start, were disputed by the warring sides.

Russia and Ukraine agreed to a maritime ceasefire to allow ships to transit the Black Sea. Russia dropped a similar agreement in 2023.