PARIS - French President Francois Hollande says European Union sanctions against Russia could be gradually lifted but only if further progress is made on a peace deal for Ukraine. He spoke amid pressure from some European companies and others to ease the sanctions, imposed over Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Moscow banned European food imports in retaliation, hurting European exporters.
Associated Press: French president floats slow lifting of Russia sanctions
French President Francois Hollande (L) greets his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko upon his arrival for their meeting on June 21, 2016 at the Elysee palace in Paris.
