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Lifting EU sanctions on Russia incorrect: Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses the country’s parliament on an upcoming EU summit, Berlin, March 19, 2015. © AFP

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says it is “incorrect” at the present time to lift the sanctions imposed by the European Union against Russia over Moscow’s alleged role in the conflict in Ukraine.

On Thursday, Merkel told the German parliament in the capital city of Berlin that the bloc should wait for the full implementation of the Minsk ceasefire agreement in eastern Ukraine before removing the bans.

“Last year, we, Europeans, imposed sanctions at several stages. They expire in July and September. We don’t want and we can’t lift them if only the first demands of the Minsk agreements are fulfilled. This would be incorrect,” she said.

The top German official made the remarks just hours before the EU summit in Brussels. According to reports, the bloc’s leaders are set to decide on the extension of the bans on Russia until the end of 2015.

“I will work this evening so that the length of the sanctions is guided by the Minsk package and its fulfillment.” Merkel added.

Kiev’s call for more ant-Russia bans

Earlier in the day, the Ukrainian prime minister urged the EU to maintain pressure against Moscow, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to cause “instability” in the 28-nation bloc by dividing its member states over the issue of sanctions.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk talks to the press after attending meetings at the European Council, Brussels, March 18, 2015. © AFP

 

“If Putin splits the unity among EU member states and among the leaders of the EU, this will be the biggest success story for Putin and a disaster for the free world,” said Arseniy Yatsenyuk after meeting with European Union President Donald Tusk.

This is while diplomatic sources said the EU will not slap “new sanctions” against Russia in the upcoming summit.

East Ukraine ceasefire deal

During peace talks in the Belarusian capital city of Minsk on February 11-12, the leaders of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine agreed on the withdrawal of heavy weapons from Ukraine’s front lines and a ceasefire, which officially went into effect on February 14. The two sides, however, have continued to engage in sporadic clashes.

From L to R: The leaders of Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine attend peace talks in the Belarusian capital city of Minsk, February 11, 2015. © AFP

 

Frayed EU-Moscow relations

Russia has been hit with a series of sanctions by the EU and the US, which accuse Moscow of supporting pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine. Russia categorically denies the allegation.

Donetsk and Lugansk are two mainly Russian-speaking regions in eastern Ukraine, which were hit by deadly clashes between pro-Russia forces and the Ukrainian army after Kiev launched military operations in April last year to crush pro-Russia protests there.

In May 2014, the situation in the two flashpoint regions started to worsen as residents overwhelmingly voted for independence from Ukraine in a referendum.

FNR/MKA/SS


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