Tillerson briefs Poroshenko on sanctions imposed on Russia

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko that the sanctions imposed on Russia would remain in place, US Department of State acting spokesman Mark Toner said.

"Secretary Tillerson confirmed that sanctions will remain in place until Russia returns control of the Crimean peninsula to Ukraine and fully implements its commitments in the Minsk agreements," Toner said in a statement.