Pavlo Klimkin: West should step up sanctions against Russia

In connection with another violation of its international obligations by Russia, it would be quite logical for the West to step up sanctions against Russia.

This opinion has been expressed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin in an interview to the German newspaper Bild.

“By recognizing the quasi-election in Eastern Ukraine, Russia once again violated its international obligations, in particular, Minsk agreements. It is quite obvious that the Kremlin has demonstrated disrespectful behavior towards the EU and the Western world,” “Ukrainskaya Pravda” quotes the minister.

“If the West wants its opinion to be considered significant by Russia, and wants Russia to keep to the norms of the international law, the next logical move should be pressure on the Kremlin by all means possible. It includes stepping up sanctions,” Klimkin emphasized.

“These are fake elections, with fake observers, fake voters’ lists and illegitimate results. Some regions of Eastern Ukraine are under control of pro-Russian terrorists and Russian troops indeed. But they are Ukrainian regions, and we are going to return them,” the minister stressed.

According to reports, earlier Russia officially recognized pseudo-elections, which had been held by the “DNR” and “LNR” last Sunday. The Russian authorities didn’t conceal either that they were assisting conduct of the election, in particular, “the polling stations” had been opened on the territory of Russia.