Austrian Foreign Minister: Withdrawal of troops from Crimea is one of conditions for lifting EU sanctions from Russia

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria Sebastian Kurz said on what conditions sanctions against the Russian Federation could be lifted.

Russia's Kommersant writs about it.

According to him, Russia should withdraw its troops from Crimea.

Everything should be made now to implement other clauses of the Minsk agreement, he says. In particular, Russian troops should be withdrawn from Ukraine, not only from the country's southeast but also from Crimea. The territorial integrity of Ukraine should be respected, the diplomat added.

He said that one condition for lifting sanctions was implemented – the ceasefire in the southeast of the country continues, which is a very positive result. However, the ATO forces say regional councils of Luhansk and Donetsk regions report that militants violate the ceasefire established on September 5.

On September 30, the Permanent Representatives Committee of the European Union is expected to hear the report by the European External Action Service on the situation in Ukraine and the implementation of Minsk agreements on solving the Donbas crisis.

The EU may keep or soften sanctions against Russia. Any EU member can block a decision on lifting sanctions.

According to earlier reports, American ExxonMobil, one of the world's largest oil companies winds, down its work in Russia due to sanctions.