(Source: http://news.rufox.ru/texts)

The Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel accused Russia of creating a “threat to international stability”. It was a mistake to make Ukraine choose between the EU and Russia.

The successful development of Ukraine requires both Russia and Europe as partners. Further escalation of the situation threatens global economic collapse of the system. This was said by the head of the German government on Thursday, as she was delivering the government statement in the Bundestag. From Merkel’s point of view, “during the phase of great uncertainty of the situation in Ukraine, Russia showed itself not as a partner for ensuring stability in the neighboring country closely connected to Russia related in historical, cultural and economic terms”. It is the belief of the Chancellor that Russia “uses the current weakness (of Ukraine)”.

“The right of the stronger side is opposed to the force of law, and unilateral geopolitical interests – to mutual understanding and cooperation” - Angela Merkel said. She also expressed the opinion that “Russia is violating the state unity of Ukraine”.

The second package of sanctions against Russia may be introduced on March 17. The Chancellor stated that if Russia “does not show willingness to contribute to the resolution” of the crisis in Ukraine and “relaxation of tension of the existing situation”, “if there are no results (in this direction) in the several next days”, then on Monday, March 17 the EU will decide on the introduction of the second stage of sanctions against Russia.

According to her, the second stage involves not only limitation of travels of the persons responsible for destabilizing the situation in Ukraine to the West and the freezing of their bank accounts, but also “the refusal to conduct the summit “the EU – Russia”. If the Russian Federation will continue to destabilize the situation and refuse to participate in the negotiations, the third stage of sanctions will be introduced, which “will affect economic cooperation” – Merkel noted. “Nobody wants it” - she stressed. “However, we are ready (for such sanctions) and will implement them and, if this is inevitable” - the Federal Chancellor said. It is necessary to find a “peaceful resolution of the crisis in Ukraine” - she stressed. “This crisis cannot be resolved by war. This is not an option for us” - the head of the German government emphasized.