We Already Have Problems: Sarkozy Calls for Scrapping Anti-Russia Sanctions

ST. PETERSBURG (Sputnik) — EU sanctions against Russia should be lifted, but it should be up to Moscow to take the first step, France's former President Nicolas Sarkozy said Thursday.

"I am among those who believe that it is necessary to remove the sanctions, we have enough problems as it is. We cannot allow ourselves to suffer, and the strongest side should reach out first," Sarkozy said, adding that this would be the Russian leadership.

Since 2014, the European Union, the United States and their allies have imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia over accusations of Kremlin's alleged interference in the Ukrainian conflict — a claim that Moscow has repeatedly denied. In response, Russia introduced food embargo in August 2014 on products originating from states that imposed the restrictive measure.