The EU links the lifting of sanctions with the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
Germany will discuss the easing of sanctions against Russia in case of progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements. This was announced by the Minister of foreign Affairs of the country Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
In the Declaration of the G7 countries said that sanctions against Russia will remain in force until the full implementation of the Minsk-2 and can be reinforced if necessary.
“My position has always been as follows: sanctions are not an end in itself. If there is progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements, we will also be able to discuss the easing of sanctions,” Steinmeier told Spiegel.
Later official representative of foreign Ministry of Germany Martin Jaeger said that Berlin would support a gradual abolition of EU sanctions against Russia in case of progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
“Sanctions by themselves will not end. The approach is all-or-nothing brings us closer to our goal,” – said the diplomat.
According to Spiegel, Brussels had previously linked the sanctions with the implementation of the Minsk agreements in full, but now “a new course” supports including the Office of the Federal Chancellor.
“According to the plan, in response to Moscow’s cooperation in holding local elections in Eastern Ukraine, the first sanctions will be lifted”, – the newspaper writes.
