German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has spoken out in favor of easing sanctions against Russia after the ceasefire in Donbass with the help of UN peacekeepers. According to Gabriel, full implementation of the Minsk agreements is impossible without a partial lifting of anti-Russian sanctions.

The minister noted that he understands that his position differs from the official position of the European Union, which considers the implementation of the Minsk agreements a mandatory condition for easing sanctions. But their partial cancellation will allow us to get out of the current impasse, Gabriel believes.

"We urgently need progress because the world is becoming more dangerous," Gabriel said on the sidelines of a security conference in Munich (cited by Reuters ). Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was also present at the meeting.

Russia is an indispensable partner in addressing global challenges such as nuclear proliferation, Gabriel added. He also expressed support for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which is to connect Russia and Germany.

German Foreign Ministry calls for easing sanctions against Russia