MEP says EU will lift sanctions against Russia at Washington's behest

European Union (EU) countries will be forced to lift anti-Russian sanctions if Washington makes such a decision. This was stated by French MEP Thierry Mariani on February 18 following the Russian-American negotiations in Saudi Arabia.

"The EU today is waiting to see what will be decided in Washington. If it decides to lift the sanctions, the EU will be forced to follow that decision. Otherwise, they will once again remain on the sidelines of history," RIA Novosti quoted the MEP as saying .

He also added that Ukraine will absolutely definitely not become not only a member of NATO, but also will not enter the EU community.

"Notice, there is no more talk about Ukraine joining NATO. And all those who promised her this are no longer able to fulfill their promises. But I think that Ukraine will not become a member of the European Union either. I was in Ukraine in 2012-2013 and saw the events on Maidan. I remember members of the European Parliament speaking from the rostrum and promising Ukraine soon membership in the EU, but it is still not there," Mariani said.

Listening and hearing each other. How the meeting with the US delegation ended

Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after talks in Riyadh that Western countries would be forced to lift anti-Russian sanctions if the conflict in Ukraine is resolved. He noted that other countries might take similar decisions. At the same time, European Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis said that the EU would not lift sanctions against Russia even if the USA did so. He added that work on the 16th package of sanctions against Russia is already underway.

Thetalks between the Russian and U.S. delegations on February 18 in Riyadh lasted 4.5 hours. The Russian delegation was represented at the meeting by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Assistant to the Head of State Yuri Ushakov and the head of RDIF Kirill Dmitriev. From the United States, the meeting was attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security Mike Waltz and special envoy of U.S. leader Donald Trump Steven Whitkoff, whose mandate initially covered the Middle East, but was later expanded to Russia and Ukraine.

Lavrov called the talks in the Saudi capital useful. Delegations from Russia and the United States agreed to set up negotiating groups on Ukraine and restore diplomatic relations.