Merkel tells Putin: implement Minsk to get EU sanctions lifted

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets German Chancellor Angela Merkel prior to their talks at the Bocharov Ruchei state residence in Sochi, Russia May 2, 2017. Sputnik/Aleksey Nikolskyi/Kremlin via REUTERS

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on all sides in the conflict in Ukraine to work towards the ceasefire envisaged by the Minsk accords, saying implementation of those agreements could lead to the lifting of EU sanctions against Russia.

Speaking in the Russian town of Sochi after discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Merkel said there was no need to replace the Minsk process, which is designed to bring an end to the conflict between Moscow-backed rebels in Ukraine's east and the Kiev government.