The French Foreign Ministry is disappointed with the implementation of the Minsk agreements

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius expressed disappointment with the observance of agreements designed to establish peace in Ukraine.

“We are extremely disappointed,” the minister said at a meeting with journalists.

Fabius stressed that agreements are not respected. “On Wednesday evening, we agreed with colleagues from Germany, Ukraine and Russia to withdraw heavy weapons to the lines specified in the Minsk agreements, and on Thursday morning the Donetsk airport was stormed and dozens of people were killed <...> this weekend you saw what happened in Mariupol.

With regard to Russia, Fabius promised to continue the old policy of "toughness and dialogue." “In no case does this mean that we need to fight with Russia, but there are things that we cannot stand,” the Foreign Minister said.

Fabius also once again called on the parties to respect the Minsk agreements. “We want Ukraine to maintain good relations with both Europe and Russia. But we are now very far from this,” the minister admitted.

According to Fabius, President Hollande should call Putin in the near future and once again express his concern. “France will continue to make every possible effort to achieve a de-escalation of the conflict,” the Foreign Minister stressed once again.