Head of the Austrian Foreign Ministry Karin Kneissl claimed that her country supports the EU sanctions imposed against Russia since it violated international law. Interfax-Ukraine reported that, quoting the official.
'The sanctions were imposed in 2014 and continued ever since; recently, they were extended for another six months. We never left these because we respect the international law', Kneissl said.
She added that the annexation of Crimea is one of such violations of international law.
Previously, Kneissl said Austria supports the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine; on the other hand, she added that constant dialogue with Russia is important, too.
Previously, in October 2018, Kneissl reiterated that lifting sanctions against Russia 'is a non-issue currently as there is no process of implementing Minsk agreements'. 'Unfortunately, today we can’t see any tangible success in Minsk agreement to enable lifting sanctions within the EU,' Kneissl said.
