British Foreign Ministry: Lifting sanctions against Russia untimely

The Great Britain finds possible easing of sanctions against Russia untimely.

Such a statement has been made by UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, RIA Novosti informs.

As said by him, the countries of the European Union have set out the terms on which they can de-escalate the situation with Russia. That is Russia complying with its obligations under the Minsk agreement. He said these countries would like to see that, all of them would like to have a possibility to ease the sanctions, but only as soon as Russia sticks to its obligations, he said addressing the Council of the EU on Foreign Affairs.

Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan spoke against easing of the sanctions regime as well. He said that they are going to call upon Russia to guarantee implementing Minsk agreement, and condemn the continuing acts of aggression. However any statements that the EU is moving towards easing the sanctions would be a mistake, he said.

We remind that on January 16 US President Barack Obama agreed with British Prime Minister David Cameron to maintain the sanctions against Russia.

On the same day the European Commissioner for the Neighbourhood policy Johannes Hahn said that the European Union is ready to consider lifting anti-Russian sanctions, however this move would be possible only in case Minsk agreements are implemented. He stressed that the EU holds its doors open and is against restrictive measures.

The Minsk agreement was signed on September 5, 2014 in the capital of Belarus. Russia’s Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov signed the agreement on the behalf of Russia, and the ex-president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma, holding the mandate of the leadership of the country, signed it on the behalf of Ukraine. A Swiss diplomat Heidi Tagliavini signed it on the behalf of the OSCE. The cease-fire started on the same day at 6 p.m. However, until now there are numerous reports that fighting in eastern Ukraine resumed.