Merkel sets sanctions ultimatum as Ukraine fears full-scale war with Russia

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters that the EU would impose new sanctions against Russia in one week if there was no change in the situation in Ukraine or if the situation worsened. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said as he visited Brussels to plead with EU leaders for tougher measures that Kiev and Moscow were on the verge of “full-scale war.” Fears of a wider confrontation spiralled after claims that Russia has sent troops to help fight a new offensive by pro-Kremlin rebels that has wrested several southeastern Ukrainian towns from Kiev’s control.

I think that we are very close to the point of no return, the point of no return is full-scale war, which is already happening in the territories controlled by the separatists.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko

The European Union and the United States have already slapped tough sanctions on Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis, including Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in March. New measures were likely to focus on extending current sanctions covering financial services, armaments, dual-use products and energy, Finland’s Prime Minister Alexander Stubb said. Ukraine has openly asked the EU for military help, and on Friday Kiev announced that it would also seek membership of the NATO alliance, a move sure to further enrage the Kremlin.

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