You're reading: Finnish PM says lack of progress in Minsk accords behind keeping Russia sanctions in place

Finnish PM says lack of progress in Minsk accords behind keeping Russia sanctions in place

Published Dec. 10, 2016 at 5:35 pm

Ukrainian soldiers charge a Grad multiple rocket launcher system, near the eastern Ukrainian city of Shchastya, Luhansk oblast. (AFP)

Photo by AFP

HELSINKI – Helsinki is skeptical about the possibility of lifting the EU sanctions from Russia in the near future.

The lifting of sanctions is only possible with the EU unanimous approval, and this will not happen until the Minsk agreements are implemented, Finland’s Prime Minister Juha Sipila said on the Finnish TV on Saturday, noting that there is no progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Finland fully supports the EU’s line in this matter, he said.