(VOVworld) - The US State Department's Coordinator for Sanctions Policy Daniel Fried said US sanctions on Russia might be removed this year if Russia boosts diplomatic solutions to the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine.

In an interview with Voice of America on January 17, Fried said the lifting of sanctions on Russia could happen before the end of the year if Moscow shows its determination for a solution to the conflict in Donbass through diplomatic channels. He said that after the Minsk agreement is implemented, elections in Donbass will be held, military activities will be halted, and security in eastern Ukraine will be restored.