"We hope, that an active work of Normandy Four group will be productive and enable us to lift anti-Russia sanctions for the benefit of all," he said.
He added, that the French and Russian leaders discussed not only bilateral issues, but global threats and challenges during regular contacts between the two sides.
Since 2014, the United States, the European Union and some of their allies have imposed several rounds of sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy, as well as a number of individuals and entities, over Crimea’s reunification with Russia and Moscow's alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability.
The next meeting of the Normandy leaders is expected to take place in later in July.
