Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Ukrainian President: There are no grounds for abolition of sanctions against Russia

President Petro Poroshenko is confident that there are no reasons for lifting sanctions against Russia – the country-aggressor. It was stated by him at the joint press conference with the President of Finland in the course of the official visit to that country.
“Ukraine is grateful to the U.S. for sanctions against Russia and we see no reason to abolish them,” Petro Poroshenko noted answering the question of journalists about possible abolition of sanctions against Russia by the United States under the tenure of new President Donald Trump.
The Head of State once again emphasized that Russia severely violated international law by the annexation of Crimea and destabilization of the situation in the east of Ukraine. 

Petro Poroshenko noted that our state and the entire Ukrainian nation would be glad if Europe and America had grounds for lifting sanctions. But this is possible only in case of Russia fulfilling all the Minsk agreements. “This is not happening at the moment – aggression is continued,” he said.
“In December Ukraine lost 22 soldiers and over the entire period of the Russian aggression more than 2.5 thousand soldiers and over 7.5 thousand civilians were killed. The only efficient instrument to motivate the President of Russia and achieve the implementation of the Minsk agreements is sanctions,” the Head of State noted.
The President once again expressed gratitude to the world community for solidarity and support of Ukraine. “We are proud of unity with the EU and solidarity. And we hope for such support in the future,” he stated.
In his turn, President of Finland Sauli Niinistö expressed solidarity in the issue of necessity of continuation of sanctions against Russia. “It would be great to have an opportunity to lift sanctions. But the fulfillment of the Minsk agreements is necessary for that. And it’s still not happening,” he said.
Sauli Niinistö reminded that sanctions had been imposed due to the annexation of Crimea and situation in Donbas, not because of terrorism. “Therefore, I see no connection between these events. I do not believe that USA will change its decision. However, sanctions of the EU and the U.S. are different. They make a decision separately. As EU member-state, Finland respects the decision of the EU, for we are one of those who adopt such decisions,” he added.
Speaking of the expectations from the policy of the new U.S. Administration and President Donald Trump, Petro Poroshenko and Sauli Niinistö emphasized that the U.S. policy had stable and old traditions.
“It is too early to speak about our expectations. I would like to quote Churchill: there are no eternal friends or eternal enemies, only eternal interests. These interests have been formed not by President Bush or President Clinton. They have been formed by the Founding Fathers over 200 years ago. And their basis is freedom and democracy. Ukraine shares these interests – freedom and security. Now, soldiers in the east fight not only for freedom and democracy in Ukraine, they fight for freedom and democracy in the whole world. Thus, I believe we can count on the U.S. support,” the Head of State emphasized.

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