Situation in Ukraine prevents the lifting of sanctions

The current situation in Ukraine means it is not possible for the European Union to think about scrapping sanctions against Russia, Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák said after the conclusion of a session of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday. "The ministers unequivocally emphasise that the situation doesn't allow for lifting all or some of the sanctions. But our discussions mustn't only deal with the sanctions, but with what lies ahead and what our further strategy will be as well, because the sanctions are only a policy instrument," said Lajčák - amid renewed fighting in eastern Ukraine. Lajčák said that foreign ministers of EU-member countries wish to see a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine while endorsing all diplomatic initiatives in this regard and urging EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to undertake more stringent measures.