Germany's Gabriel sees no scope for easing Russian sanctions

German Foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel speaks during a news conference in Riga, Latvia, March 1, 2017. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

VILNIUS (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Wednesday there had hardly been any progress in implementing the Minsk peace agreement for eastern Ukraine, which meant no lifting of sanctions against Russia was in sight.

Speaking during a joint news conference with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius, Gabriel also said he opposed any move to return the European Union to being just a single market.