Merkel: Russia sanctions should take effect

In the course of Wednesday's debate in Germany's lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, Chancellor Merkel expressed her desire for a new set of European Union sanctions against Russia to take effect. She cited a lack of clarity as to whether the terms of the 12-point ceasefire, agreed Friday in Minsk, were being held despite a calming of fighting in eastern Ukraine.

"In view of the existing situation…we argue that these sanctions should come into effect now. I hope that this will be decided soon," she told German lawmakers, though emphasizing that the sanctions could be removed at any time. "I would add that, if the 12 points are really fulfilled sustainably, we will be the first to lift the new sanctions."

Merkel said sanctions were not an end in themselves. "They are always only imposed when they are unavoidable."

The EU earlier this week adopted the fresh sanctions against Russia, which Ukraine and the EU say has been stoking violence in eastern Ukraine by sending troops and weapons to separatists - something Moscow has denied.

Those sanctions include tightening access to capital markets for Russian oil and defense companies, as well as travel bans and asset freezes for more individuals considered by the EU to be responsible for fueling the months-long conflict.

However the EU held off from publishing the sanctions in its Official Journal of the European Union, meaning they did not take effect, to see whether peace efforts agreed to by Russia, Ukraine and the separatists in Minsk would move forward. EU ambassadors were on Wednesday due to debate whether and when to impose the sanctions.

se/hc (dpa, AFP, AP, Reuters)