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Answering the UNIAN correspondent’s question on Monday on what policy the Bulgarian presidency will continue with regard to Russia sanctions, given that the country’s president earlier spoke about lifting economic sanctions against Russia, Tzantchev said.

"We’ll stick to the five principles of relations with Russia approved by the Council in March 2016. Full implementation of the Minsk agreements by all sides in the conflict in eastern Ukraine is an important condition for the change in EU relations with Russia. At present, this condition has not been fulfilled," he said.

The ambassador stressed that the EU "insists that Russia fully respect international law."

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Read alsoU.S. preparing to deal a heavy blow on Russia – private intel firmTzantchev has noted that Brussels counts on the Normandy format and the implementation of Minsk agreements. "The withdrawal of heavy weapons from the line of contact is an absolute necessity," he stressed.

At the same time, the diplomat expressed readiness of the Bulgarian presidency to work on improving relations with the Russian Federation in the event of a situation change. "But now there are no conditions" for this, Tzantchev said.