The new leader of the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, Armin Laschet, said that there is currently no reason to lift the anti-Russian sanctions. According to Laschet, “there are still covert and open acts of aggression from the Russian-dominated side in eastern Ukraine.”
Armin Laschet stressed that Russia is in many ways the enemy of the West.
He also indicated that, in his opinion, the situation with Crimea was the reason for the introduction of the main part of the sanctions. Non-recognition of Crimea as Russian territory, Laschet stressed, “remains the position of Germany and the West.”
“The other part concerns the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the conflict in eastern Ukraine … As for the Minsk agreements, I would like to see more progress. In this regard, there is no reason to lift the sanctions now,” Laschet told The Eastern Herald.
Laschet also outlined his position on Russia, stressing that it is largely an adversary to the West, but it “needs” Russia to resolve some issues. “This applies to many regions in the world where Russia is active. It is part of the Libyan conference, organized by the chancellor, and will participate in the implementation of the Iranian agreement – together with the EU, the US, and the UN,” Laschet said.
