BERLIN, August 08./ITAR-TASS/. German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel has warned against further deterioration in relations with Russia amid the crisis in Ukraine.

“We should voice fears about further escalation of the crisis,” he said.

“If we fail to persuade Russia to change its position, we will pay a higher price from the political, cultural and economic points of view than the cost of sanctions,” Gabriel said.

He came against the possible sanctions in the energy sector. “We can solve problems in Europe only by talks,” the minister said.

Commenting on Russia’s farm import ban in response to the US and EU sanctions, he said, “It does not threaten Germany” because Russia’s share in foreign trade turnover of German agrarian products was only 3.3%.