Obama: lifting of sanctions against Russia depends on the implementation of Minsk Agreements

The United States believes that Western sanctions against Russia should remain in force as long as Russia does not fulfill its obligations under the Minsk Agreements to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, US President Barack Obama said yesterday, speaking at a press conference at the White House after talks with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

Commenting on the fact that in the upcoming summer the EU authorities will have to consider the extension or lifting of sanctions against Russia, Obama said: "The EU Council must uphold the current sanctions as long as we do not see implementation of the Minsk Agreements."