Poroshenko passes info on Minsk accords implementation to EU leadership

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has passed information about the course of implementing the Minsk agreements to the European Union leadership the day before the EU is expected to decide on another extension of sanctions against Russia.

"We expect positive reports upon completion of the work of the European Union summit and the European Council's session, and it would be very important today to pass the latest information about the implementation of the Minsk agreements, on problems existing on the occupied territories, as well as make Ukraine's firm and clear position heard," the Ukrainian leader told reporters upon completion of a Ukraine-EU mini-summit in Brussels.

The meeting addressed the issue of sanctions against Russia in detail, Poroshenko said.

"This decision [on extending sanctions] is highly important to us, and we should work on this issue in an effective manner up to the last minute," he said.

Poroshenko said he was convinced that Europe had heard Kyiv's arguments and would extend the sanctions.

This Ukraine-EU mini-summit is symbolic because it is the first meeting after Britain's referendum to leave the EU, and this meeting demonstrates the importance which the EU attaches to Ukraine, as well as the EU's attention to Ukraine, Poroshenko said.