Poroshenko, Mogherini stress importance of Minsk agreements, not rule out tougher Russia sanctions

Poroshenko said that "Russian militants continue conscious breach of the Minsk deals pretending as if they are withdrawing heavy weaponry meanwhile committing provocative shell attacks on the Ukrainian military." Besides, the head of state provided an update on the security situation in eastern Ukraine, where the recent escalation of fighting was of particular concern, as well as harassment of the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission by separatists. He said only wide international support when resisting Russia’s aggression in Donbas will promote soonest political settlement of the conflict. Mogherini stressed the European Union's continued support for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements on settling the conflict, starting with respect for the ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons.