Germany hints at removal of Russia bans
Germany on Friday raised the possibility of the gradual removal of the sanctions that the European Union has imposed against Russia.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier told reporters in Tallinn that the sanctions against Russian could be lifted through a “step by step” process if there is progress on ending the conflict in Ukraine.
"I hope that by the end of June there will be progress and then we can see if we can reduce the sanctions step by step, or if we stay with the measures we have right now," AFP has quoted Steinmeier as saying.
"It is not our aim to maintain the sanctions but to resolve the conflict."
EU has imposed a series of sanctions on Russia's banking, defense and energy sectors over its alleged role in the ongoing crisis in neighboring Ukraine.
The sanctions are expected to expire in July and extending them will require the unanimous agreement of all 28 member states – what will be discussed as EU leaders meet next month.
But on Thursday, Steinmeier said the European Union was facing difficult talks on extending the sanctions because of the increased resistance of some member states.
He did not name names, but Italy and Hungary have been among the most skeptical while Poland and the Baltic states -- fearful of Russia's actions in their backyard -- have repeatedly pressed hard for sanctions to maintain pressure on Moscow, AFP added.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking in Japan, also said Thursday that the Group of Seven has no plan to withdraw its sanctions on Russia.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told a German daily last week that she expects an extension of the punitive measures.
Germany and France helped broker peace accords for Ukraine signed in the Belarusian capital Minsk in 2015.
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