NATO and Russian envoys are due to meet on April 20 in Brussels, which will be their first formal meeting after fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine two years ago and their relations soured.
"NATO will reiterate its insistence of full implementation of the Minsk agreements when the NATO-Russia Council convenes next week," Vershbow said, citing commitments on the ceasefire, the pullout of heavy weapons and removal of foreign armed forces from the conflict zone in Ukraine.
"Half-measures will not do. Minsk must be implemented in full…Until Russia implements its obligations under Minsk – and that includes the release of Nadia Savchenko and other prisoners – sanctions and other measures on Russia must be maintained," he said.
NATO suspended cooperation with Moscow in April 2014 in protest against Ukraine’s former republic of Crimea’s reunification with Russia after a referendum.
The Minsk peace deal was worked out in February 2015 by Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany. It was signed by both parties to the Ukraine conflict — Kiev authorities and Donbass militias.
