Huntsman in an interview with the St. Petersburg television channel, answering the journalist's question about sanctions, unambiguously linked the possibility of withdrawing them from the situation in Ukraine.

"If we can resolve the issue with Ukraine, namely: come to an agreement that will suit both sides, we will get a positive result. But this will require serious efforts in resolving disputes. It will be necessary to adhere to the commitments recorded in the protocol between the two contracting parties, "the American diplomat said, stressing that the main task is to stop violence in the Donbass.

According to Huntsman, the US is involved in the solution of the Ukrainian problem because "these are issues of international law and territorial integrity," which are "very important not only for the US, but for the entire world community".

"We are one of the parties that imposed sanctions. And the side that hopes that soon we will find a solution, "the ambassador concluded..

In the Federation Council, Huntsman's statement was considered non-constructive. First Deputy Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council Vladimir Jabarov reminded that Russia is not a party to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Senator Alexei Pushkov traditionally commented on the situation on Twitter. "We learned from Ambassador Huntsman - issues of international law and territorial integrity are important for the United States. This is probably a new trend: with Kosovo, Iraq, Libya was different, "- wrote Pushkov.