No lifting of sanctions unless Russia changes tack on Ukraine - Merkel

Crimea annexation ‘a violation’ of values that built peace after second World War

German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks at  a session of the World Economic Forum  annual meeting on January 22nd, 2015 in Davos, Switzerland. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images
German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks at a session of the World Economic Forum annual meeting on January 22nd, 2015 in Davos, Switzerland. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

German chancellor Angela Merkel accused Russia on Thursday of violating Europe's peaceful post-war order with its interventions in Ukraine and said Europe could not consider lifting economic sanctions against Moscow until it changed course.

"The annexation of Crimea is not just any annexation," she said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

“It is a violation of the values that created a peaceful order in Europe after World War Two, namely the acceptance of borders and respect of territorial integrity.

“Economic sanctions were unavoidable. They are not an end in themselves. They can be lifted if the reasons why they were introduced are removed. But unfortunately we are not there yet.”

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Reuters