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Version 1 Version 2
Germany: Merkel Repeats Tough Stance on Ukraine Germany: Merkel Repeats Tough Stance on Ukraine
(about 1 hour later)
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany told Germany’s Parliament on Wednesday that no military solution to the crisis with Russia was possible, but also that there was no way to lift sanctions under the present circumstances. Patience and the long view are needed, she said. While Russia might have had concerns about Ukraine’s joining a European Union trading and association agreement, she said: “None of that justifies or excuses Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Nothing of that justifies or excuses the direct or indirect participation by Russia in the fighting in Donetsk and Luhansk,” the separatist strongholds in eastern Ukraine. Also, NATO’s top commander in Europe visited Ukraine, and monitors for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe reported Wednesday that they had been fired on in the east. Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany told Germany’s Parliament on Wednesday that no military solution to the crisis with Russia was possible, but also that there was no way to lift sanctions under the present circumstances. Patience and the long view are needed, she said. While Russia might have concerns about Ukraine’s joining a European Union trading and association agreement, she said: “None of that justifies or excuses Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Nothing of that justifies or excuses the direct or indirect participation by Russia in the fighting in Donetsk and Luhansk,” the separatist strongholds in eastern Ukraine. Also, NATO’s top commander in Europe visited Ukraine, and monitors for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe reported Wednesday that they had been fired on in the east.