Angela Merkel: Sanctions against Russia to stay in place

The ceasefire in the Donbas region is not being observed.

Thus, the sanctions against Russia must stay in place, RBC news agency cites German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

According to her, several hundreds of people died during the ceasefire. “When you’ve had more than 200 people killed you cannot say the cease-fire has been accepted,” she told a press conference.

The German leader worries about the election that rebels want to hold in the Donbas region. “That is something that would establish facts on the ground that would not comply with Ukrainian law,” Merkel said.

Reuters earlier said EU leaders would not discuss lifting or tightening sanctions against Russia. According to diplomatic sources, the question wouldn't be raised at the EU summit on October 23-24.

EU leaders want Russia to put more efforts to normalise the situation in Ukraine. “The Russian Federation should respect Ukraine's national sovereignty and territorial integrity and contribute to the political stabilisation and economic recovery of Ukraine,” the draft statement reads.