WASHINGTON, September 16 (RIA Novosti) - The United States could withdraw the latest sanctions imposed on Russia last week, if the Minsk ceasefire agreement is observed in Ukraine, the US State Department Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters Monday.
If Russia fully fulfills the Minsk agreement of September 5, a path will be open to recall the latest round of sanctions, Harf said, adding that the United States first has to see whether the 12-step ceasefire plan is acted upon.
If, however, the situation in Ukraine escalates, additional US sanctions against Russia will follow, the spokesperson said.
Harf said the ceasefire in Ukraine's southeast was at risk in the past days due to an attack on OSCE observers and shelling near the Donetsk airport, of which the United States accuse militia.
A new round of Western sanctions against Moscow over its alleged role in the Ukrainian crisis came into force on September 12. The sanctions complicate access to EU and US credit for a number of key Russian banks and oil and defense companies and ban the provision of technical and other assistance to Russian oil companies.
Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement in the Ukrainian conflict, calling sanctions an ineffective tool, which threatens international peace and stability and contradicts international law.
