Juncker: Sanctions on Russia will be lifted only after the Minsk Agreements are implemented
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that the complete execution of the Minsk Agreements is the only way for sanctions to be lifted against Russia. He stated this at the opening of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, RBC reported.
Juncker explained that Russia has violated the basic principles of international law by annexing the Crimean Peninsula and by its involvement in the war in eastern Ukraine.
"Russia's actions have shaken the principles of European security. Sovereignty, sovereign equality, the non-use of force, and territorial integrity matter. They cannot be ignored,” Juncker said.
"The next step is clear: full implementation of the Minsk agreements. This is the only way to lift the economic sanctions,” the head of the European Commission emphasized. At the same time, Juncker stressed the need for continued dialogue with Moscow.
"I have strong preference for pipelines that unite, rather than pipelines that divide. We can have no illusions about the problems weighing on our relationship today. They exist. It would be pointless, even dangerous, to ignore them. We must tackle them urgently," Juncker said, as quoted by Reuters.
The EC President has called for further cooperation with Russia and in October said that the EU’s stance towards Moscow should not be "dictated" by Washington.
Juncker has been criticized for his visit to St. Petersburg, as many fear that Europe’s resolve in maintaining sanctions against Russia is weakening.