Over the last few days Chancellor Angela Merkel has not only spoken by phone several times with the Russian President Vladimir Putin, but has also been in touch with other partners around the globe.

Breach of international law

The Chancellor agrees with US President Barack Obama that the Russian intervention constitutes a breach of international law.

In 1994 Russian undertook to respect the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine and its current borders in the Budapest Memorandum. In 1997 the Black Sea Fleet Accord regulated the terms under which the Russian Black Sea Fleet would continue to be stationed in Crimea.

In a telephone call on Sunday evening Angela Merkel and Barack Obama agreed to continue their close consultations on this issue. In view of the injustices that are taking place, it is particularly important that the international community stand united. The aim is to identify a political solution to the conflict.

Angela Merkel and Barack Obama agreed to put in place without delay a fact finding mission and a contact group, possibly headed by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). President Putin accepted these proposals in his telephone conversation with the Chancellor.

G7 leaders’ statement

Russian actions contravene the principles of the G7 and the G8. On this point the heads of state and government of the G7 states (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan the United Kingdom and the United States of America) are in agreement. In a statement issued on Sunday they called on all parties concerned to behave with self-restraint and responsibility, and to decrease the tensions. The G7 is willing to support mediation efforts.

The G7 leaders agreed to suspend all preparations for the G8’s summit in Sochi scheduled for June, with immediate effect. Preparations will only be resumed once "the environment comes back where the G8 is able to have meaningful discussion".

Support for Ukraine

The G7 has underscored its support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. It has undertaken to help Ukraine in its efforts to restore unity, stability and political and economic health to the country.

With President Barack Obama the Chancellor also agreed to ascertain how support can be extended to Ukraine to help it master its financial problems and stabilise the humanitarian situation.

Meeting of EU foreign ministers: a special meeting of the EU foreign ministers has been scheduled for 3 March in Brussels. They will be discussing the European Union’s response to developments in Crimea.