According to him, the position of French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the development of cooperation with Russia against the background of sanctions softened.

"Both of them, apparently, understood that the sanctions did not affect the Russian economy and politics so that they would undergo serious changes," Zeman said.

The Czech president added that "if sanctions are not effective, then, probably, they should be lifted."

Earlier, EU leaders decided to extend sanctions against Russia for six months.