Russia and the European Union should seek to build bridges despite tensions over Moscow's actions in Ukraine, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Thursday, arguing that the relationship is "not broken beyond repair." Relations between Brussels and Moscow have been severely tested by Russia's annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014 and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, dpa reported. Juncker's comments, in an address to the prominent St Petersburg business forum, come as the 28-country EU prepares to prolong the toughest of the sanctions it imposed on Russia. In the coming weeks, the EU will "spend many hours talking about our relations with Russia. I take the view that we must also talk with Russia," Juncker said. "I have always believed in the power of dialogue. When our relations are tense, we must keep talking. Even when economic sanctions are in place, we must keep the door open. And if I am here with you today, it is because I want to build a bridge," the commission chief added. However, he stressed that Russia's actions in Ukraine "cannot be ignored," insisting that the sanctions will remain until a peace deal for eastern Ukraine is fully implemented. "The illegal annexation of Crimea and the conflict around Ukraine put the relationship between the EU and Russia to the test," he said. The bloc is expected to decide at the end of June whether to extend the economic sanctions, which run until the end of July. Both sides are looking at ways to rebuild trade despite the likelihood of continued economic limitations. "Full implementation of the Minsk agreement," Juncker said, referring to the peace deal struck in the Belarusian capital. "No more, no less." "That is the only way to begin our conversation and lift the economic sanctions that have been imposed," he added. He said he would discuss the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin later on Thursday, in what will be their first face-to-face meeting in 19 months.
