UNITED NATIONS, November 13 (RIA Novosti) – The United States is ready to lift sanctions imposed on Russia over the Ukrainian crisis if the fighting in Ukraine stops, US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Samantha Power said at the UN Security Council meeting.
"We remain prepared to roll back sanctions, if the fighting stops, the border is closed, the foreign forces and equipment are withdrawn and hostages are released," Power said.
She noted that the United States supported the Minsk agreement on ceasefire and called for the full implementation of the peace process.
First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia in UN Alexander Pankin said that the West's claims concerning the alleged movement of Russian forces on the territory of Ukraine were "propagandistic falsifications" with no proof.
The relations between Moscow and Washington have deteriorated over the situation in Ukraine, with Western countries accusing Russia of meddling in Ukraine's internal affairs and escalating the crisis. The Russian government has repeatedly denied any involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
On September 5, Kiev and the independence supporters of eastern Ukraine reached a ceasefire agreement in Minsk. On September 19, the sides signed a memorandum specifying steps for the implementation of the Minsk protocol, although the opposing sides have accused one another of violating the truce.
