"The offer of the minister was met with considerable support by the German government. The proposal of the minister entailing gradual lifting of the anti-Russia sanctions as Minsk agreements are still being implemented is on the table," Schaefer told a briefing.
The Kiev authorities launched a military operation against militias in Ukraine’s southeast in April 2014. In February 2015, the leaders of Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine worked out a ceasefire deal in Minsk later signed by Kiev and the Donbas militias. Despite the agreement, both sides to the conflict have been reporting violations of the deal.
Russia's relations with the West deteriorated following the beginning of Kiev's military campaign. The Kiev government and the West, on which Kiev increasingly relies, blame Russia for interfering with Ukraine's internal affairs and, as a punitive measure, imposed several rounds of sanctions against Moscow.
Russia has firmly denied the accusations, underscoring that sanctions are counterproductive and hurt both sides.
Western leaders insist that anti-Russia sanctions removal is conditional to the Minsk agreements implementation.
