Brussels, Dec 23 (NationPress) The Council of the European Union (EU) has extended its comprehensive economic sanctions against Russia for another six months, even as European nations initiate direct communications with Moscow amidst US-led negotiations involving Ukraine and Russia.

The sanctions aimed at Russia, first enacted in 2014, have been significantly heightened since February 2022. The Council states that these measures encompass various sectors, including trade, finance, energy, technology, dual-use goods, industry, transportation, and luxury items, among others.

In addition to the economic sanctions, which are now extended until July 31, 2026, the EU has recently implemented more punitive actions. Just last week, the bloc sanctioned individuals and entities purportedly supporting Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet' of oil tankers and imposed separate sanctions targeting alleged Russian hybrid operations. Furthermore, bans were enacted on an additional 41 Russian vessels reportedly connected to the shadow fleet.

Simultaneously, the EU reiterated its dedication to assisting Ukraine. During a summit last week, the European Council authorized a €90 billion (approximately $105.4 billion) loan package to bolster Ukraine's military and economic requirements over the next two years.

European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized the need for the EU to ensure that Ukraine is adequately prepared to negotiate a peace deal.

These developments underscore Europe's strategy of exerting pressure while revealing concerns about being excluded from negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict.

A leaked US-drafted peace plan for Russia and Ukraine raised alarms in both Europe and Ukraine, with critics arguing it heavily favored Russia, sparking fears that the Trump administration might compel Ukraine to make significant concessions.

In response, European and Ukrainian negotiators have engaged with Trump's representatives to attempt to incorporate their own provisions into the draft, although the specific details of the latest version remain undisclosed.

On Sunday, discussions concerning the Ukraine crisis wrapped up, featuring separate meetings among the United States, Russia, Ukraine, and European representatives in Florida and Miami. US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff described the meetings as 'productive and constructive.'

Conversely, Russia's stance was more critical. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov claimed that Ukraine and its European allies were impeding progress.

'It's a fact: whenever our dialogue with the US appears to be moving in a positive direction, Kyiv and its European curators take extraordinary emergency actions to hinder it, distort it, and derail these efforts,' Ryabkov stated, as reported by Russia's TASS news agency.

Nevertheless, some European nations are advocating for a more direct line of communication with Russia instead of relying solely on the US for negotiations, according to a report from Xinhua, citing TASS.

Following the EU summit in Brussels, French President Emmanuel Macron remarked that the bloc must be open to dialogue with Russia should current efforts fail to yield a sustainable peace in Ukraine. Macron expressed his readiness to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin once more, having previously conversed with him in July.

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov indicated Putin's willingness to engage in discussions with Macron, as reported by Russia's RIA Novosti.

Welcoming the Kremlin's response, the French presidency stated, 'We will determine in the coming days the best approach moving forward.' It added that any discussions with Russia would be conducted 'with full transparency' involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European allies.