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Ondrej Deml / CTK / Globallookpress.com
Foreign Minister of Germany, Sigmar Gabriel, believes that the gradual abolition of anti-Russian sanctions makes sense. He told about it in interview to the German “Focus” magazine on Tuesday, July 18.
“In accordance with the decision of the European Union, the Minsk agreements must be fulfilled at 100 percent before sanctions can be completely lifted. I believe that is impossible to implement. It would be better to consistently lift the sanctions, indicating that we need to move towards peace,” Gabriel said.
In addition, the head of the German foreign Ministry called for a new policy of Berlin towards Moscow. Frequent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he explained the presence of “many problems”.
The Minsk agreement is the document agreed in February 2015, the leaders of the “Normandy four” — Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia. It is aimed at de-escalation of the armed conflict in the East of Ukraine and provides, in particular, the introduction in the Donbass cease-fire, withdrawal of heavy weapons, a legislative recognition of the special status of the region.
Western countries constantly laying on Moscow responsibility for the implementation of the Minsk agreements, as well as link it to the lifting of sanctions. In turn, Russia reminds that it is one of the guarantors of the Minsk process, and not a party to the conflict.
Crimea became part of Russia after the March 2014 referendum in which the decision was made by the majority of the members voting. Kiev refuses to recognize the results of the plebiscite. Moscow insists that the referendum was carried out in accordance with all norms of international law.