Russia writhing under hardship wants sanctions lifted

Russia’s foreign minister Lavrov has told the Chinese state media agency that a Russian demand for the removal of sanctions was part of its peace negotiations with Ukraine.

He described the talks, which are taking place on video link, as “difficult”.

But Zelenskyy told Polish journalists that the chance of the talks ending was “high” because of Russia’s “playbook on murdering people,” the Interfax news agency said.

The US has led the west and Europe to hammer down the whole of Russia economy, its government, and oligarchs with economic sanctions.

Russia’s economy will contract by 10 percent this year, according the Bank of Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted last week the sanctions were of no use, and were also hurting the “enemies”.