"The position of Germany… France, Poland… is common and comes down to the fact that sanctions were imposed in connection with the violation of international law, the Minsk process is a formula for overcoming violations of the international law, and that without the implementation [of the Minsk agreement] there could be no talks about their [sanctions] lifting. We are talking about the dialogue which is handled from the position of unity and power," Szczerski said, as quoted by Poland's W Polityce online news outlet.
Relations between the European Union and Russia soured after Brussels imposed several rounds of economic sanctions against Moscow after Crimea reunified with Russia and in light of Russia's alleged role in the conflict in southeastern Ukraine. Russia has refuted any allegations of involvement in the hostilities and advocated settling the conflict between the Kiev forces and southeastern Ukrainian pro-independence militia peacefully.
