German Foreign Minister opposes easing EU sanctions against Russia
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas sees no reason to lift the economic sanctions imposed by the European Union against Russia. According to him, Moscow should make its contribution to end the war in the Donbas in order to improve Russian-European relations.
"People in Eastern Ukraine have been waiting for peace for too long. So far, there is no reason to oppose the policy of EU sanctions," wrote Maas on Twitter.
The easing of EU economic sanctions against Russia is not planned at the EU summit, which will be held on December 12.
EU sanctions against Russia were introduced in 2014 in response to the annexation of Crimea and Russia's involvement in the armed conflict in the Donbas. Subsequently, these sanctions were expanded. In the summer of 2019, the EU extended sanctions until January 31, 2020.
It is expected that during the European Council Summit on December 12, the heads of countries and government of the EU member states will agree on the extension of sanctions against Russia.