Hollande to personally advocate for anti-Russian sanctions to be lifted once Ukraine settlement successful

14:12, 07.09.2015 1 min read

French President Francois Hollande has confirmed his commitment to advocate for the lifting of EU sanctions imposed due to the crisis in eastern Ukraine if the Ukrainian settlement is successful.

"We have to go all the way to make sure obligations are fulfilled in terms of holding the election and passing the law on autonomy and decentralization of the regions in eastern Ukraine," Hollande told a press conference in Paris.

"If the process is finalized successfully, I will personally advocate for lifting the sanctions, as it was set forth in the agreements [reached in Minsk]," Hollande said.

The projected timing for the Minsk Agreements to be realized is the end of 2015, Hollande said.

Hollande said that the situation in eastern Ukraine is coming gradually back to normal. "There have been delays [in implementation of the agreements]. Some more people died. However, there is some progress, too. In recent weeks, the situation has improved: first of all, because the ceasefire is observed almost completely," Hollande said.