Lifting of anti-Russian sanctions is directly linked to implementation of Minsk peace deals. Considering, that ceasefire agreement in Donbas is neglected, OSCE SMM movement is limited by Russian-backed militants, local elections have not yet been held, limiting measures against aggressor-state must be extended by at least 6 months, Angela Merkel’s advisor on foreign policy, Christoph Heusgen, stated, Deutsche Welle reports.
‘If the situation in eastern Ukraine remains unchanged, I see no reasons, why the sanctions must not be extended’, - Merkel’s advisor stated.
Heusgen reminded, that the round of sanctions against the Russian Federation is directly linked to implementation of Minsk peace deals, which, ‘for now’, Moscow continues to ignore.
Earlier, at G7 summit in Japan, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, confirmed, that sanctions against Russia will stay in force, until Russia commits to its obligations under Minsk peace deal 2.
A number of Western countries have introduced several rounds of economic sanctions against Russian individuals and entities since Russia seized Crimea in March 2014.