Russia sanctions stay in force until Ukraine agreement implemented, US Secretary of State Kerry says


Sanctions against Russia will continue until it implements all aspects of the Ukraine peace agreement reached in Minsk last year, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday."Russia has a simple choice: fully implement Minsk or continue to face economically damaging sanctions," he said at the Munich Security Conference in Germany.Kerry is sharply criticized Russia for its actions also in Syria, accusing Moscow of "repeated aggression"."The path to sanctions relief is clear: withdraw weapons and troops from Donbas; ensure that all Ukrainian hostages are returned; allow full humanitarian access to occupied territories; support free, fair, and internationally monitored elections in Donbas under Ukrainian law; and restore Ukraine's control of its side of the international border," he added.His comments came just after Russia's prime minister told the same conference that the West is rekindling the Cold War with sanctions imposed on Russia over Ukraine as well as new NATO moves.Kerry praised European nations for holding firm on the Ukraine sanctions and urged Moscow to act in good faith in forging a truce in Syria and allow a political transition.