West Never Proposed Russia to Discuss Lifting of Sanctions - Moscow

The West has never proposed to discuss of lifting of anti-Russian sanctions with Moscow, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexey Meshkov said on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Monday, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier suggested gradual removal of sanctions against Russia in case of progress in the Minsk process.

"Nobody has brought up the issue [of sanctions removal]. The Russian side has repeatedly said that it had been not us who had imposed sanctions, and it is not us who will lift them," Meshkov told journalists.

According to the Russian diplomat, peace process in Ukraine is stumbling on regular violations of the Minsk agreements by Kiev.

"It is strange at least that the prolongation of sanctions is forcefully linked to the full implementation of the Minsk agreements," Meshkov said.

The United States, the European Union and some of their allies have imposed several rounds of sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy, as well as a number of individuals and entities, over Crimea’s reunification with Russia and accusations of Moscow's alleged interference in the Ukrainian conflict.

The latest round of Western punitive measures against Russia is up for extension among EU members before the July 31 expiration deadline.

Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, stating that Moscow does not take part in the Ukrainian conflict and warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability. In response to the restrictive measures, Russia has imposed a food embargo on some products originating in countries that have targeted it with sanctions.