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France backs Merkel’s proposal on extending anti-Russian sanctions — Hollande

Angela Merkel has proposed extending sanctions against Russia for six months over the situation in Ukraine
Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel AP Photo/Markus Schreiber
Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel
© AP Photo/Markus Schreiber

BERLIN, December 13. /TASS/. Paris supports the proposal of German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the new extension of sanctions against Russia over the Ukrainian crisis, French President Francois Hollande told reporters in Berlin on Tuesday.

"If they (Minsk agreements) are not implemented, we will continue the sanctions, although this is not an everlasting formula," Hollande said. "If there is no progress and if the blockade continues, then Chancellor Merkel and I call for keeping the sanctions."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday proposed extending sanctions against Russia for six months over the situation in Ukraine.

"We have discussed in brief the situation in Ukraine and the slowly progressing Minsk process, therefore, the sanctions should be extended once again. But we would like to see more progress," Merkel said at a joint news conference with French President Francois Hollande.

The European Union summit scheduled for December 15-16 is expected to consider the extension of anti-Russia sanctions.