Hollande: Russia risks more sanctions over Ukraine

PARIS, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- An additional round of economic sanctions may be forthcoming if Ukraine's cease-fire is not respected, leaders of Germany and Russia said Friday.

French President François Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, after meeting in Paris, warned of new sanctions against Russia if an agreement on a cease-fire, reached Feb. 12 between leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France in Minsk, Belarus, is not honored.

Since the cease-fire went into effect Sunday, pro-Russian separatists overtook the strategic city of Debaltseve and are marching toward the port city of Mariupol. Other elements of the agreement, including withdrawal of heavy artillery and a prisoner exchange, have not been honored by either side.

"With the Chancellor (Merkel), we have never stopped speaking since the Minsk agreements and we are more convinced than ever that these agreements must be applied -- all the agreements, nothing but the agreements -- meaning the cease-fire which is still under threat, which has been violated several times, notably at Debaltseve in these last few days -- and which must now be fully observed across the line,'' said Hollande.

The comments came as French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced another round of diplomacy regarding Ukraine. Foreign ministers will meet in Paris on Tuesday to discuss the lack of support for the cease-fire.