Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko pressed the West, on Monday, to preserve sanctions against Russia over its support to militants in the east of the country.

At a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, Poroshenko said that “sanctions against Russia must stay in place until Russia fully implements the Minsk agreement”.

Merkel reiterated Poroshenko’s comments saying that with the absence of sustainable peace, the European Union must reintroduce sanctions against Russia over the role it plays in the conflict.

Furthermore, Merkel expressed her willingness to discuss with Poroshenko extending new financial aid to Ukraine in 2016.