"I have already spoken, being Minister of Foreign Affairs, for ... linking the gradual lifting of sanctions specifically to progress in eastern Ukraine," explained Kurtz.
According to him, the first step could be the establishment of a “real truce” in the Donbas.
Earlier, the European Union extended economic sanctions against Russia for six months.
As stated in the Federation Council, such a decision was expected.
Russia has repeatedly stated that it is not a party to the conflict in Ukraine and acts as a mediator in resolving the situation.