Merkel Says Russia Must Avoid Destabilizing Ukraine
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Russia on Wednesday not to do anything to destabilize the situation in Ukraine after pro-Moscow forces took de-facto control of Ukraine's majority Russian Crimean Peninsula.
"Russia must desist from any taunting which could lead to a destabilization of the situation," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert told a government news briefing.
Berlin regards the situation in Ukraine as "alarming," Seibert said.
"As a result of Russia's actions, the situation in Crimea goes against international agreements that Russia has signed up to. It's a situation which is not acceptable," the spokesman continued.
Diplomacy was the only way forward, Seibert insisted.
"It must be clear to everyone that the territorial integrity of Ukraine must be upheld," he said.
"It is of paramount importance that all sides show restraint. If there is to be a diplomatic process then everything must be undertaken to ensure the stability of Ukraine. And no action must be undertaken which could lead to destabilization," Seibert said.
According to diplomatic sources in Vienna, member states of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) have agreed to send military observers to Ukraine.
"We welcome that the first steps of a fact-finding mission are being taken," Seibert said.
"Talks between the international community and the Russian government, and with president (Vladimir) Putin in particular must continue," he said.
Germany and its partners are trying to support the new government in Ukraine in stabilizing the country's economic and social problems, Seibert continued.
Asked about possible sanctions against Russia, he was more evasive.
"Since Monday, we've seen no real positive developments in Crimea," Seibert said.
"Talks are underway to see if a contact group can be set up. These talks haven't been broken off yet. They're still ongoing but we're not over the hill just yet. It's very important that progress is made in these talks," Seibert said.
A spokeswoman for German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that the minister had already warned in Brussels that "if Russia takes no steps to de-escalate the situation then measures will have to be taken on the part of the EU."
If, for example, efforts to set up a contact group were to run aground, "then you can expect that the EU summit will table restrictive measures against Russia," the spokeswoman said.
Source: Agence France Presse
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