Zeman calls for dropping of sanctions against Russia at conference organised by Putin associate

Czech President Miloš Zeman called on the West to drop “unnecessary and counterproductive” sanctions against Russia in a speech at an event organised by an associate of Russian President Vladmir Putin. Mr. Zeman described the conflict in Ukraine as a “civil war”, echoing the views of the Russian leadership, in the Russian-language address, which was delivered on Friday at the conference in Rhodes put on by Kremlin insider Vladimir Yakunin. The Czech president also said the West and Russia should unit in the battle against Islamic State militants.

Author: Ian Willoughby