WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earnest argued that the United States has been clear about what kind of steps the Russian government should take to reduce the isolation it is facing, including living up to Minsk agreement commitments.
“I’m happy to be proven wrong, but I don’t envision those steps being completed in advance of next month’s G7 meeting,” Earnest said.
The G7 group comprises Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Russia’s participation in the group’s meetings was suspended in March 2014 over the country’s alleged meddling in Ukraine’s internal affairs. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations.
In February 2015, the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany worked out the Minsk agreements to settle the conflict in Ukraine.
Representatives of the Ukrainian government and the two break-away republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, signed the Agreements that stipulate a ceasefire, heavy artillery withdrawal, prisoner exchange and constitutional reforms in Ukraine.
Since the signing of the deal, Donbas militias and Kiev forces have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce.
