(VOVworld) - French President Francois Hollande has called for an end to economic sanctions against Russia because the sanctions have hurt both Russia and the European Union. Hollande made the appeal in an interview with France Inter Radio on Monday.

Russia has sent big aid convoys to rebel-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine. (Photo: AFP)

Russia’s TASS news agency quoted Hollande as saying the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine is the main condition for lifting the sanctions. He voiced his opposition to confrontation policies and urged that sanctions be lifted. But he insisted that if there is no progress in resolving the Ukraine crisis, the sanctions should remain.