You're reading: Tsipras says Ukrainian crisis led to war, sanctions, needs to stop

ST. PETERSBURG - The vicious circle that resulted from the Ukrainian crisis and the economic sanctions must be broken as soon as possible, says Alexis Tsipras, Greece's Prime Minister.

“The Ukrainian crisis has opened a new wound at the heart of Europe – a wound of instability, and this, of course, is a very bad sign, a bad sign for international relations. Because instead of thriving economic cooperation the region is now seeing processes that have led to war, militarization and sanctions,” Tsipras said at a plenary session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

He added: “This vicious circle must be broken as soon as possible. Diplomatic initiatives in this field, in the field of implementation of the Minsk agreements, deserve all kinds of attention and support.”