BERLIN. Oct 2 (Interfax) - The agreement reached between the parties involved in the conflict in Ukraine on the so-called Steinmeier formula demonstrates progress, but it would be premature to talk about possibly lifting sanctions on Russia, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.
"We have achieved progress, but a lot of further steps are still needed. This doesn't mean we can lift the sanctions, but there are prerequisites - and all parties reaffirmed this today - for [a Normandy-format] meeting to be held now at the level of heads of state and government," Merkel told journalists in Berlin.
The countries involved in the Normandy-format negotiations are France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine.