The European Union has emphatically rebuffed the Kremlin's demand that the Russian Agricultural Bank, known as Rosselkhozbank, and other financial entities involved in the agrifood trade be re-connected to SWIFT as a pre-condition to halt attacks in the Black Sea and ensure safe navigation, arguing the continued invasion of Ukraine makes it impossible to grant sanctions relief, be it broad or targeted.
The surprising demand was made public earlier this week after technical talks between Russia and the United States in Saudi Arabia meant to introduce a partial ceasefire in Ukraine, which has still not entered into force.
