She did not expect the G7 states to adopt any specific resolutions regarding sanctions, said the Chancellor. The EU’s three-stage plan, however says, "that we are currently at stage two and preparing for stage three".

Angela Merkel welcomes OSCE observer mission

There can be no doubt that the Russian annexation of Crimea is a breach of international law. The Chancellor once again made this quite plain in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the weekend. Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin both welcomed the deployment of an OSCE observer mission in Ukraine. The Russian view of the crisis is not shared by the international community, stated government spokesperson Steffen Seibert in Berlin.

In their telephone conversation Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Vladimir Putin welcomed the decision of the OSCE to deploy an observer mission in Ukraine. The Chancellor and Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier had been working hard for many days to get the mission off the ground, said Steffen Seibert. "This is a first step towards preventing any further escalation."

There must be no attempts to destabilise the situation

In her call with President Vladimir Putin, the Chancellor also brought up reports of a massive Russian military presence along the Russian-Ukrainian border. The Chancellor did not believe that this could be seen as an effort to de-escalate the situation, said Steffen Seibert. The Chancellor is also focussing her attention very much on the situation in the Republic of Moldova.

Maintaining contact

Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin agreed to stay in contact, said the government spokesperson. This should increase the chances of finding a political solution to the conflict.

In her call with Vladimir Putin, the Chancellor also underlined the fact that Russia’s actions mean that it is now responsible for preventing bloodshed in Crimea.