The backdrop of these negotiations is closely tied to the political climate in the United States and Russia. Trump, aiming to bolster his image as a global negotiator in an election year, has tried to project this development as a diplomatic achievement of his administration.

The EU’s 16th package of sanctions against Russia imposes a ‘phased-in’ ban on imports of Russian aluminium products © Bloomberg EU agrees new Russia sanctions in the face of US push to end Ukraine wa

EU countries on Wednesday agreed a new round of sanctions on Russia, diplomats said, as the bloc looks to keep up pressure in the face of US talks with Russia.