Kerry says US links termination of sanctions against Russia with full implementation of Minsk accords

Published Feb. 13, 2016 at 2:27 pm

US Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during the second day of the 52nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Munich, southern Germany, on February 13, 2016. Russia must change its military targeting as it backs the Syrian regime, US Secretary of State John Kerry said, as world powers seek a cessation of hostilities in the war-torn country within a week.

Photo by AFP

MUNICH. Feb 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The United States links the termination of U.S. sanctions against the Russian Federation with the full implementation of the Minsk agreements, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has stated.

“The Russian Federation faces a simple choice: to fully implement the Minsk agreements or continue to experience the impact of sanctions,” Kerry said at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

He stressed the need for an unhindered humanitarian access to the territories not controlled by Ukrainian authorities, as well as holding “free elections according to Ukrainian laws.”

At the same time, the official noted that Ukraine must also fulfill its part of the Minsk agreements.