Poroshenko: Sanctions against Russia essential, they have effect
Petro Poroshenko expressed such an opinion at a joint briefing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
"I emphasize that sanctions are essential. They have an effect, and now it is seen in the reduction in funding of militants and mercenaries, who, along with the Russian troops, take part in the occupation of eastern Ukraine," the President said.
Petro Poroshenko also reminded that sanctions against Russia could be strengthened.
"It is very important that sanctions are firmly linked with Russia’s complete fulfillment of its obligations under the Minsk agreements. The sanctions, I stress, can be strengthened if Russia does not fulfill its obligations," the President of Ukraine said.
The sanctions are a mechanism to force the Russian Federation to comply with the Minsk agreements, Poroshenko explained.
He also thanked Angela Merkel for the "strong message" voiced at the G7 summit a few days ago, saying that the main responsibility for the events in Donbas rested with the Russian Federation. Petro Poroshenko noted that this is a collective opinion of the G7 countries.
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