MUNICH, Germany -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry accused Russia of "repeated aggression" and said sanctions will stay in place until the Minsk II agreement to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine is fully implemented.
The United States and the European Union have imposed economic sanctions on Russia in response to its support for separatists who control parts of eastern Ukraine and have fought government forces in a devastating war.
Sanctions will remain in place until "the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine is protected in full implementation of the Minsk agreements," Kerry said at the Munich Security Conference on February 13.
He said "Russia faces a simple choice: fully implement Minsk" or face continued sanctions.
He added that implementation includes the withdrawal of Russian forces -- which Western governments say are in Ukraine despite Russian denials -- and restoration of Ukrainian control over the entire Ukrainian-Russian border.
He spoke of joint and "unwavering support for a democratic Ukraine" by the United States and the European Union, and called for Ukraine to do more to fight corruption.
