WASHINGTON, October 3 (RIA Novosti) - US ready to lift some of the sanctions against Russia if the ceasefire agreement reached in Minsk is observed, US Assistant Secretary of State, Victoria Nuland stated.
"When the Minsk agreement is fully implemented, we can and will begin to roll back some sanctions. It is in Russia's hands when that day comes," Nuland said.
US diplomat repeated the US stance that Ukrainian side observes the ceasefire.
"Ukraine is fulfilling its commitments under the September 5 Minsk agreements - it passed amnesty legislation, a special status law for the east, and is working with Russia to demarcate the special status zone," Nuland stressed.
The Ukrainian conflict saw a deterioration of Russia's relations with the West, as western politicians and media continued accusing Russia of providing aid to independence supporters, a claim Moscow repeatedly denied.
Russia, however, played a vital role in the deescalation of the crisis. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a peace plan to resolve the conflict two days before Kiev and the eastern regions of Ukraine reached a ceasefire agreement on September 5 in Belorussian capital Minsk.
The European Union and the United States have been hitting Russia with sanctions over Moscow’s alleged role in the Ukrainian crisis. Western sanctions have targeted Russia’s largest banks, energy and defense companies, as well as some individuals.
