EU to Lift Anti-Russia Sanctions if Minsk Deal Implemented – Austrian FM

The European Union will lift the sanctions it has imposed against Russia over the Ukraine crisis only when there are "positive developments" on the implementation of the Minsk agreements, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz told Sputnik Sunday.

VIENNA (Sputnik) — The European Union introduced sanctions against Moscow in 2014, citing Russia's alleged involvement in the Ukraine crisis – a claim Moscow has repeatedly denied. In June 2015, the bloc decided to prolong its sanctions for another six months.

"The sanctions would end if there is a positive development on the ground. We are committed to what was negotiated in Minsk and we hope that it will be possible to reach the ceasefire and all the other points which were negotiated," Kurz said.

He added that Austria had always supported the position of the European Union regarding the sanctions against Russia but believed that the EU should maintain dialogue with Moscow.

"We think that's always necessary to get in contact with Russia to try to negotiate and try to negotiate and find a peaceful solution for the conflict," Kurz said.

The Minsk agreement were elaborated by the leaders of Russia, France, Germany, and Ukraine in mid-February. The deal stipulated an all-out ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the line of contact in eastern Ukraine and constitutional reforms to decentralize powers.

The deal was signed by representatives of Kiev and the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk but the sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreement.