"Regarding sanctions against Russia, we have so far reached level two and we cannot rule out having to go further," Merkel said at a news conference with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. "It is regrettable that during the 10-day unilateral ceasefire announced by the president of Ukraine, that there was no significant reaction to the peace plan, and that the ceasefire was not accepted by the separatists," she added.
"We will not stop looking for diplomatic solutions. The German foreign minister will host the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers today. But we are nowhere near where we want to be."
http://www.voanews.com/content/reuters-merkel-says-economic-sanctions-against-russia-still-an-option/1949225.html
2/7/14
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- NATO Secretary General thanks Germany for its leadership within the Alliance.
NATO Homepage, 02 Jul. 2014:
Related:
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen thanked
Germany for its pivotal role in the Alliance during a visit to Berlin on
Wednesday (2 July). “I am very grateful for Germany’s leading role in
Afghanistan and in Kosovo. You have shown your commitment to your fellow
Allies in reinforcing our collective defence in light of the
Russia-Ukraine crisis,” he said after talks with Chancellor Angela
Merkel.
Mr. Fogh Rasmussen also held
talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier and
the Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen to prepare the Wales Summit
in September and to discuss the challenging situation on NATO's eastern
and southern borders. Meetings with members of the German Bundestag’s
Foreign Policy Committee and the Defence Committee are also on the
agenda to discuss a broad range of security issues.
The Secretary General expressed his gratitude to Chancellor Merkel for her personal commitment in trying to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis. “Russia’s actions threaten the peace and security we have built after the fall of the Berlin Wall. And let me stress: nobody wants to return to the Europe of the Cold War,” he said. “We cannot have new dividing lines across our continent. Therefore, I call on Russia to reverse its course and to begin the long process of rebuilding the trust it has broken.”
2/7/14
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-The Secretary General expressed his gratitude to Chancellor Merkel for her personal commitment in trying to de-escalate the Ukraine crisis. “Russia’s actions threaten the peace and security we have built after the fall of the Berlin Wall. And let me stress: nobody wants to return to the Europe of the Cold War,” he said. “We cannot have new dividing lines across our continent. Therefore, I call on Russia to reverse its course and to begin the long process of rebuilding the trust it has broken.”
- The Secretary General stressed that in today’s dangerous world, "it is important that we keep our robust defences to keep our nations safe, and I count on all allies to take responsibility for their share of the cost of security to keep our alliance strong."
2/7/14
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Related:
Ukraine’s President terminates ceasefire. ("We will attack and free our lands")
Has Russia betrayed Ukraine's breakaway republics?
Frank-Walter Steinmeier: EU Summit May Discuss Tougher Russia Sanctions
G7 tells Russia to end Ukraine destabilization or face more sanctions. - G-7 Leaders Statement (Brussels 4/6/14)
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Kerry urges NATO members to increase defense budget. -Not all allies are going to meet the NATO benchmark of 2% of GDP
Face à la Russie, l'Otan doit investir davantage dans sa défense, estime Hagel (2% of GDP)
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Nine EU states ready to block attempts to impose economic sanctions on Russia — source...
ReplyDeleteNine EU member states, including Italy, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, and Slovenia are ready to block any attempts to impose economic sanctions on Russia at a summit on July 16, a diplomatic source in the permanent office of a Western European country in the European Union told ITAR-TASS on Tuesday.