Lifting of EU sanctions against Russia possible after Minsk-2 implemented – Merkel

The lifting of EU sanctions against the Russian Federation will take place only after the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said this at a press conference after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi.

The German Chancellor called on all sides in the conflict in Ukraine to work toward the ceasefire envisaged by the Minsk accords, saying implementation of those agreements could lead to the lifting of EU sanctions against Russia.

Merkel said that there was no need to replace the Minsk process, which is designed to bring an end to the conflict between Moscow-backed rebels in Ukraine's east and the Kyiv government.

"For me the aim is to reach the point in the implementation of the Minsk accords where we can lift the European Union's sanctions against Russia," Merkel said.

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