Volker: Sanctions against Russia to be strengthened over failure to comply with Minsk accords
Ukrinform
U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker notes that sanctions against Russia will be strengthened if it continues to fail to implement the Minsk agreements.
"We see that the exerted pressure strengthens our negotiating position and what we are now considering in relation to Russia. If they agree to implement the Minsk agreements, then the abolition [of sanctions] could be discussed. Otherwise, these sanctions will be only strengthened," Volker said in an interview with Priamyi Ukrainian TV channel.
The U.S. Special Representative believes in effectiveness of the restrictions imposed on Russia: "They [sanctions] have not yet changed Russia's fundamental policy towards Crimea or Donbas, but I know that they create pressure and the Russian side wants to lift these sanctions somehow. Thus, we see that the exerted pressure strengthens our negotiating position," he added.
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