The sanctions against Russia imposed after the beginning of the special operation in Ukraine cannot be removed without agreements reached by Kiev and Moscow, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in an interview broadcast by the ZDF TV channel on Monday, TASS reports.
"We will not lift sanctions without [Russia reaching] agreements with Ukraine," he said, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin "should reach agreements with Ukraine." This should not be "an imposed peace," in which Russia will dictate its terms, Chancellor noted.
Germany does not recognize Crimea’s reunification with Russia, he said when asked a respective question.
Scholz also said that Ukraine should be able "to protect its sovereignty and its freedom," adding that "Russia should not win, Ukraine should not lose."