“The two leaders agreed on the need for full and prompt implementation of the three Minsk agreements in order to reach a lasting and peaceful resolution to the conflict,” the White House statement read. “They [Obama and Merkel] reiterated their agreement that there will be no easing of sanctions imposed on Russia until it has fulfilled all of its Minsk commitments.”
The United States, the European Union and their allies imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia because of Moscow's alleged interference in Ukrainian conflict. Russia has repeatedly denied the accusations.
In February, the leaders of Ukraine, Germany, France and Russia met in Minsk, Belarus to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. The Minsk meeting resulted in a new truce agreement that included granting special status to regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
