Alexander Kuranov. The future of the anti-punishment must be closely linked to the Minsk agreement, said Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka on Thursday in Brussels before the European Council summit, his interview was broadcast TV the EU.

"maybe some of our colleagues today at the conference will be to advocate for the continuation of the punishment until the end of the year," said Sobotka.- The Czech Republic sees no reason to rush into this. It seems to me that with the EU's position tactically advantageous to monitor the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the conclusion of sanctions to take on some of the following EU summits ".

The Czech Prime Minister reminded that the Minsk agreement include a number of individual steps that are required to be made before the end of this year. This includes, for example, the holding of elections within, which is currently housed under the control of militias, empowerment of OSCE observers to monitor the situation in the region, providing the authorities of Ukraine observations on the border with Russia.

"as punishment with respect to Russia are valid until 31 July of the current year, I think there is no reason to rush into a decision regarding their continuation," said Sobotka.- But anyway, I until not heard from anyone here in Brussels, proposals on the need to strengthen them, " he noticed Sobotka.

sections: Politics