Russia sanctions should be lifted 'if progress': Hollande

French President Francois Hollande says economic sanctions imposed on Russia over the Ukraine crisis should be lifted if Moscow makes progress in restoring stability in the region. Hollande brokered the first ice-breaking meeting between Ukrainian and Russian leaders last June.

Speaking to French radio, he says Russia has paid a price for its annexation of Crimea and its activities in eastern Ukraine with the falling ruble and a deteriorating economy.

"If Russia has a crisis, it is not necessarily good for Europe so I'm not for the politics of the worse. And I think that now the sanctions must be stopped, in the sense that they must be lifted if there is some progress. If there is no progress, the sanctions will stay in place."

Hollande also pledged to push ahead diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and reach a lasting compromise to the crisis during the Astana gathering on Ukraine set for Jan. 15.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has invited the leaders of Russia, France and Germany to talks in the Kazakh capital in an attempt to restore peace in Kiev's eastern regions.

However, Germany has cast doubt on whether the summit will take place, saying it depends on real progress on the ground in eastern Ukraine.

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