The ceasefire in Donbas is a positive development for Ukraine, but the pressure on Russia should continue to ensure that it withdraws its military forces from Donbas, U.S. Senator from Illinois (Democrat) Richard Durbin has said.

Certain elements of the Minsk agreements are positive, and any signs of a ceasefire will benefit Ukraine, he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Monday.

Ukraine is paying a high price for stopping the Russians, so the U.S. will insist that Russia should withdraw its troops in order to resolve the situation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, he added.

Durbin noted that the ceasefire enables further negotiations to be held and will force Russia to leave Donbas.

U.S. Senator from New Hampshire (Democrat) Jeanne Shaheen said in turn that the U.S. supports the European Union over its sanctions against Russia.

Washington is working with its European partners and supports them so that they should increase and intensify the sanctions if Russia fails to fulfill the Minsk agreements, she said.