Bulgaria to Back New Sanctions if Russia Violates Minsk Agreement

Bulgaria is ready to support further measures against Russia if Moscow fails to abide by the deal reached in Minsk on the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, the country's Foreign Minister has said.

Mitov is attending a two-day meeting of EU member states' top diplomats dedicated to the situation in the Donbass region where Kiev forces and pro-Russian rebels have been fighting since last spring.

The Bulgarian Foreign Minister made a similar comment in a Reuters interview in end-February.

During the informal event EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to boost the strength of its mission in Ukraine to be doubled, reaching 1000 staff.

Russia is not a signatory to February's Minsk ceasefire agreement, but brokered it alongside Germany and France.

The 14-point deal envisages a withdrawal of heavy weapons from the front line and the release of all prisoners as well as political steps to wind down tensions.

The west accuses Moscow of backing rebels in Eastern Ukraine, something it consistently denies.

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