US Supports Extension of Sanctions Against Russia Over Ukraine Conflict

According to US State Department, Washington will continue to support the extension of anti-Russian sanctions.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Secretary of State John Kerry reiterated US support for the extension of sanctions against Russia until full implementation of the Minsk agreement, US State Department spokesperson John Kirby said in a press release on Thursday.

“The Secretary [Kerry] also made clear that, until the Minsk Agreement is fully implemented, the US and our partners, continue to support the extension of existing international sanctions on Russia,” Kirby said.

Kerry made the statement upon meeting the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin in Belgrade on the sidelines of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) ministerial meeting.

Kirby added that the officials discussed the ongoing events in eastern Ukraine and US commitment to the country.

In February, the leaders of Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine elaborated a set of measures in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, aimed at Ukrainian reconciliation. The deal was signed by Kiev and Donbas pro-independence militia. The measures include a ceasefire, weaponry withdrawal from the contact line and constitutional changes.