(Reuters) – Russia has lifted sanctions against Russia as part of peace talks with Ukraine. The negotiations, “difficult”, but ongoing every day, Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Ministry, said Saturday in remarks.

Kyiv on Friday warned that negotiations to end Russia’s invasion were at risk of collapsing.

Lavrov commented on China’s official Xinhua news site, saying that the Russian and Ukrainian delegates were currently discussing via video-conferencing a draft treaty.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the President of Ukraine has maintained since February 24, when Russia invaded Ukraine that Western sanctions against Russia must be increased and cannot be included in negotiations.

Since March 29, Russia and Ukraine have not had face-to-face talks. The atmosphere is deteriorating over allegations by Ukraine that Russian troops committed atrocities in areas close to Kyiv. Moscow denies the allegations.

Moscow describes its actions in Ukraine as a “special operations” meant to “denazify and demilitarize its neighbor. According to the West, Russia has launched an unprovoked aggression war against Ukraine.

Lavrov spoke without further explanation, saying that “the talks’ agenda also includes the issues of denazificiation,” the recognition geopolitical realities and lifting sanctions.

Lavrov declared that “We support the continuation of negotiations,” despite their difficulties.

Russia’s Western allies placed severe sanctions on Moscow. They have frozen nearly half the Russian state gold and foreign currency reserve, which has severely harmed Russia’s economy.

Lidia Kelly Reports in Melbourne, Editing by William Mallard