France to Back Lifting of Anti-Russia Sanctions if Ukraine Crisis Settled

French President Francois Hollande said Monday that the Minsk agreements on the Ukrainian crisis settlement must be implemented by the year end.

PARIS (Sputnik) – France will support lifting of sanctions against Russia if the Ukraine's peace process succeeds, Hollande said Monday.

"The Minsk agreements must be fulfilled by the end of the year… If this process is completed, I will take steps for lifting sanctions," Hollande told reporters.

France, along with the other EU member states, the United States and their allies have imposed several rounds of economic sanctions against Russia since 2014 over its alleged interference in Ukrainian internal affairs, a claim that Moscow has repeatedly denied.

The Normandy Group comprising Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine may meet ahead of the UN General Assembly session at the end of September, Hollande said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama are both expected to address the UN on September 28.

"The heads of the foreign ministries of the Normandy Quartet will hold talks soon. I suggest the next meeting be held in Paris ahead of the UN General Assembly session," Hollande said.

Hollande said the proposed session would be focused on the Minsk ceasefire agreements.