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Sanctions against Ukraine to be considered Thursday – Merkel

Foreign ministers of the EU will meet in Brussels tomorrow to decide what kind of targeted and gradual sanctions can be introduced and against whom in particular

Angela Merkel (archive) EPA/IAN LANGSDON

Angela Merkel (archive)

© EPA/IAN LANGSDON

PARIS, February 19. /ITAR-TASS/. Foreign ministers of the EU will meet in Brussels tomorrow to decide what kind of targeted and gradual sanctions can be introduced and against whom in particular, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told a news conference with French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday after their talks and the countries’ ministers meeting.

“We are currently negotiating at the level of European Council President Herman Van Rompuy,” Merkel said. “Besides, I have had a meeting with Polish Prime Minister today. It means that we maintain numerous contacts. Now we should consider in which sphere of the situation in Ukraine we can take measures.”

“It is impossible to discuss sanctions apart from everything else,” she said. “They should help solve the problem. We should continue holding talks.”

“The European Union foreign ministers will meet in Brussels tomorrow and make it clear what kind of targeted and gradual sanctions can be introduced and against whom in particular,” Merkel said. “We cannot say in advance whether this or that (Ukrainian) politician will be regarded as responsible for the events or not. We will thoroughly consider this issue. We are currently holding negotiations with all sides.”

“An introduction of sanctions is a way for us to claim that we are very serious about the observance of democratic rights,” she added. “But at the same time, it is essential to ensure a political process on this matter - to hold talks.”

The chancellor stressed that “the Ukrainian government’s tactics aimed to purposely delay the resolution of the issue has only aggravated the situation in Ukraine lately”.

“The Ukrainian authorities’ attempt to gain time only endangers the life of people, both of demonstrators and police,” she said.

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