Sides to Ukraine Conflict Must Stick to Minsk Deal, Speed Up Implementation

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The process of the Minsk agreements implementation should be accelerated, with both sides to the deal closely following their obligations, an Italian member of the European Parliament told Sputnik on Friday commenting on Thursday's statement made by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a televised Direct Line Q&A session, Putin called on the West to work with its partners in Kiev to fulfill the Minsk accords, rather than "reiterate" that it was up to Moscow.

"Regarding the Minsk agreements, I think that the process of implementation should be accelerated, and that both sides must stick to their commitments and obligations," Stefano Maullu said.

The lawmaker opposed potential extension of anti-Russia sanctions over the Ukrainian crisis if the deal is implemented.

"We must make clear that there must exist no alibi to further impose sanctions on Russia, if Minsk will be completely implemented. This is a worrisome situation that is damaging the whole of Europe and Russia," Maullu pointed out.

Following the Ukraine crisis escalation, Washington and Brussels imposed sanctions against Russian individuals and Russian defense, energy and banking sectors in late July 2014. Russia responded by introducing a year-long food embargo on imports from the United States, the European Union and other countries that have targeted Russia, extending the current embargo until August 5, 2016.

The Minsk deal on Ukraine’s reconciliation was struck in February 2015 by Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France and later signed by Kiev and the Donbas militias. Both warring parties have repeatedly accused each other of violating the truce despite agreeing to the ceasefire deal.