Implementing the Russia-Ukraine agreement in early 2017.

(Baonghean.vn) - The White House is working to promote the implementation of the peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine before President Obama's term ends, according to senior national security advisor Susan Rice.

Senior National Security Advisor Susan Rice. Photo: Reuters.

As the White House's foreign policy coordinator, Rice said she saw prospects for resolving the Ukraine crisis by the end of this year. She said U.S. officials were increasing cooperation with their French and German counterparts on the Minsk agreements signed in February 2015.

Speaking at a Washington Post event, Rice said: “There is some things that can be accomplished between now and the end of the U.S. presidency if the Russians show goodwill on political issues.” Obama will leave office on January 20, 2017.

"We are full of hope if Russia wants to resolve the issue, and we have reason to believe that – we have the time, the ability, and the tools to do so," Rice said.

More than 9,000 people have been killed since April 2014 due to violence between Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine and the Kiev government.

The US and the European Union are maintaining their positions on economic sanctions against Russia, which are disrupting the implementation of security measures and electoral reforms outlined in the Minsk ceasefire agreement.

At the summit at the end of June, European leaders will consider expanding these sanctions.

Rice stressed that she was not betting on whether the agreement would be passed, while acknowledging that there was no guarantee the Ukrainian parliament would approve the electoral reforms included in the agreement.

Thao Linh

(According to Reuters)