Merkel sees no reasons for lifting sanctions against Russia

“We consider that for all participants it is important that the Minsk be implemented, what will give reasons for lifting sanctions. Unfortunately, we don’t have this,” Chancellor Merkel said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Berlin on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

She also recalled that sanctions were prolonged because the Minsk peace deal had not been fully implemented.

According to the German Chancellor, the talks in the Normandy format are still in progress, and Germany and France will support Ukraine in this process.

Merkel also praised Poroshenko’s understanding that implementation of the Mink agreements is the only way to solve the situation in eastern Ukraine.

“It is important now to achieve long-term ceasefire, and we are expecting that all OSCE monitors will receive access to all the places in eastern Ukraine,” Merkel noted

iy