German Foreign Minister proposed to consider a phased lifting of sanctions with Russia – RBC

Germany’s foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier

  Photo: Tobias Schwarz / AFP

Frank-Walter Steinmeier said possible gradual withdrawal from Russian sanctions in the event of progress in resolving the conflict in the Donbass . “Nobody is interested in the economic destruction of Russia”, – he said

Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said a possible phased withdrawal of Russian sanctions in the event of progress in resolving the situation in the Donbass. This statement was made head of the German Foreign Ministry on Monday during his speech at the “Potsdam meetings,” the German-Russian Forum in Berlin. Speech Steinmeier published on the website of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

«Sanctions are not an end in itself. And sanctions is definitely not a means to make the other partner to kneel. Nobody is interested in the economic destruction of Russia “, – said the head of the German Foreign Office

He stressed that sanctions should be an incentive for the” political behavior, based on the termination of the conflict. “. “That is, in the current situation, and rightly so in our view, continue to exert pressure, but as far as the sanctions mechanism – this should be done sensibly, as I said last week,” – said Steinmeier

. “The principle of” all or nothing “does not bring us closer to the goal. At least for the moment. So my suggestion is to include an element of enabling both parties. And in the case of substantial progress should be possible gradual lifting of existing sanctions, “- he said,

Earlier, Steinmeier warned that in Europe there is opposition to the extension of the sanctions, and to agree on a common position will be difficult.. To solve the sanctions must be approved by all 28 EU members.

On minushey week the leaders of the G7 Summit in Japan supported the preservation of sanctions against Russia. They stressed that “the duration of the sanctions is clearly linked to the full implementation of the Minsk agreements Russian and Ukrainian sovereignty respected.” At the same time the “Big Seven” warned that sanctions could be expanded if Russia’s actions require such an approach.