“The position of the federal government remains unchanged, meaningful progress is needed in the implementation of the Minsk agreements so that we can think about easing or lifting sanctions,” RIA Novosti quotes Seibert.
According to him, at present this work is underway “with all his might” together with other participants of the Norman format.
He called the “positive and encouraging signals” the release of Russia and Ukraine by detainees, as well as the withdrawal of forces in the village of Lugansk.
The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany Rainer Brogl also attended the briefing, who noted that it was “not about German, but European sanctions”, the decision on which “is not made in Berlin”.
“Our position is clear: Minsk agreements should be implemented, and not in part or in separate paragraphs, but as Minsk agreements. This is our position, sanctions are tied to this, and this remains unchanged, ”the diplomat noted.
After that, Seibert added that he takes "back the word" weakening ".
“The position of the government remains that Minsk should be implemented, meaningfully and in its important appeals. We are still very far from this, ”he explained.
As stated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Germany and Ukraine believe that anti-Russian sanctions can be lifted only with progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
The head of the European Council, Donald Tusk, also emphasized that the sanctions will not be lifted until the Minsk agreements are implemented.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, commenting on calls to abide by the Minsk agreements, noted that one cannot always demand that Moscow implement these agreements in a part that does not depend on it at all.