BFF-12 German Chancellor declares support of anti-Russia sanctions

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BFF-12

GERMAN-CHANCELLOR-RUSSIA-SANCTIONS

German Chancellor declares support of anti-Russia sanctions

MUNICH, February 17 (BSS/TASS) – Germany supports sanctions against
Russia, Chancellor Angela Merkel said at the Munich Security Conference on
Saturday, adding that restrictive measures should be coordinated.

“We support sanctions against Russia. They should be coordinated (with
Ukraine),” she said.

Western countries should maintain the dialogue with Russia, German
Chancellor said, adding that it is necessary to observe the Russia-NATO
Founding Act.

“As before, we are committed to the Russia-NATO Founding Act,” she said,
adding that “from the geostrategic viewpoint, Europe cannot be interested in
breaking the relationship with Russia.”.

Economic sanctions were imposed against Russia on July 31, 2014, after the
crash of the Malaysian Boeing flight MH17 over Donbass. Since then, they have
been extended every six months in unchanged form. In March 2015, the EU
summit decided that sanctions could only be lifted after the implementation
of the Minsk agreements.

BSS/TASS/MSY/0957 hrs