Another year of anti-Russian sanctions: Hollande and Merkel supported their extension – Moskovsky Komsomolets

However, in 2017 the restrictive measures will not be able to renew as easily.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande after negotiations stated that Russia will face another year of sanctions. In their opinion, progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements is not observed, therefore, the policy of pressure on Moscow will continue. Hollande also recalled Russia fighting in Aleppo, once again alleging that the civilians do not reach humanitarian assistance. However, the expert, who spoke “MK”, expressed the hope that next year, the sanctions can be lifted.

photo: Natalia Gubernatorova

“Sanctions against Russia will be necessary to extend again, although we would like to see more serious progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, — said Angela Merkel after talks with Hollande. To joined French President: “We must continue to fulfill the conditions Minsk agreements, and if they are not met, we must continue the sanctions regime”.

the term of the sanctions expires in January. In may will expire Hollande: this month the second round of presidential elections in France, and current head of state has already stated that it will not take part in the race. At the same time, in January, the President of the United States intrudes Donald trump, who is the supporter of revision of relations with Russia. Although the American President is not directly involved in the peace process in Eastern Ukraine, it has a great influence on European policy.

In the coming Thursday, European leaders will have to discuss the expansion of sanctions, such as restricting access to the global financial system and the barriers to military and energy cooperation with Russia, reports Reuters.

“the extension of sanctions is not unexpected because no change in the East of Ukraine did not happen, — said in comments “MK” Deputy General Director of the Center for political technologies, Alexei Makarkin. — And if so, then they are extended. Hollande and Merkel took part in the talks in Minsk, so they are closely linked to these problems. But here the most interesting that on, because in the spring elections in France, will be the new President in the country, and this President will not be linked with the Minsk agreements directly. And besides, with a high probability they will be the person who will be increasingly advocating dialogue with Russia — now in the campaign, the leader of the center-right Fillon. In the same year in Germany’s elections, but there is Merkel a good chance to stay. There is also the question what will be the position at the trump. Yes, now the sanctions will be extended, this is a certain inertia, but t he next year for the sanctions regime will be much more difficult. These events can provide an additional impetus for those countries that were initially against.”