The European Union sanctions against Russia will be continued until the full implementation of the Minsk agreements, Head of the Bundestag Committee on EU Affairs Gunther Krichbaum has said.

Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, the German parliamentarian pointed out that "one thing is clear to an overwhelming majority of the Bundestag members: the sanctions will remain in effect as long as weapons are fired."

"A long road begins with the first step. What's the most important is that people shouldn't get killed," he said.

It is obvious to German politicians that the parties should continue working hard on the Minsk agreements in 2016, Krichbaum said. The first and foremost condition is that the firing should be stopped, and the second, that the weapons must be withdrawn, he said.

It is too early to talk about even the partial lifting of the sanctions from Russia until a ceasefire in Donbas becomes permanent, it's Russia's duty, and the ball is in Russia's court, Krichbaum said.