Austrian Chancellor speaks in support of ‘gradually lifting sanctions from Russia’
The gradual lifting of sanctions against Russia should they make progress in the implementation of the Minsk Agreements is appropriate, as stated by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
"The EU should insist on progress in the Ukrainian conflict and in the implementation of the Minsk agreements. If there is progress, it is appropriate to lift the sanctions step by step, to create incentives for further progress, about which German President (former Foreign Minister), Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke," the Austrian Chancellor said.
Kurz also noted that "peace in Europe can only be with Russia" as a partner, and not as an opponent.
Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria had stated that the anti-Russian sanctions are inefficient because of falling prices on energy resources.