The Ukrainian and French presidents say sanctions on Russia need to stay in place. They made the comments after Moscow said some sanctions should be lifted before a US-brokered truce in the Black Sea can start.



Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron held a press conference on the eve of a summit in Paris, where some 30 leaders will gather on Thursday to discuss supporting Ukraine.



Macron said, "Russia should not have a right to review the support that we will provide and that we provide to Ukraine, nor shall it dictate the conditions of this sustainable peace."



Zelenskyy said, "Sanctions against Russia should remain in place and strengthen as long as the Russian occupation continues."
Zelenskyy added that he expects the US to get Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to an unconditional ceasefire.



The European Union echoes this view. An EU spokesperson said Russia must agree to end its aggression in Ukraine and unconditionally withdraw its troops from the country for the sanctions to be lifted or changed.