German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that the sanctions imposed on Russia will remain in place, despite the peace deal signed on Thursday for east Ukraine.
Uatoday.tv reports:
Merkel has also indicated that much remains to be done to secure peace in Ukraine’s east and has not ruled out further punitive meaures against Moscow.
Angela Merkel, German Chancellor: “We are more than aware that a lot of efforts still need to be made, that is why we keep all the possibilities of response open. When it works well we will support this process and will be gratified to note this, and if it doesn’t work then we don’t exclude imposing further sanctions.”
The new Ukraine peace plan envisions a ceasefire coming into force on Sunday morning. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and a number of other world leaders have indicated that pressure must be maintained on Russia and its proxy militias in east Ukraine if the truce is be successful.