Put new sanctions against Russia sanctions into effect: Merkel

Berlin: German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Wednesday for the European Union to put new sanctions against Russia into effect immediately because peace plans for eastern Ukraine haven’t yet been implemented fully. The EU has drawn up new measures against Russia over its actions in Ukraine but stopped short Monday of enforcing them immediately. The new sanctions are expected to deepen earlier penalties targeting Russia’s energy and arms sectors, and to tighten access to international loans. Ambassadors from EU member countries were holding another meeting on the sanctions in Brussels on Wednesday. [caption id=“attachment_1377827” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Angela Merkel in this file photo. AP[/caption] Merkel told Germany’s parliament that it is important for peace plans drawn up by Ukraine and Russia to be put into effect and added that “a ceasefire and the release of prisoners are only two elements of 12 points.” They also include the withdrawal of Russian soldiers from the region and a free decision by people in Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions on their future status, she said. A ceasefire agreement took effect Friday, and Merkel told Germany’s parliament that “there is not a 100 percent cease-fire, but in any case an improvement” in the situation on the ground. But she said that there was “a lack of clarity on the fulfillment” of many other points of the peace plans. In view of that, “we support these sanctions being published now and I hope there will be a decision soon,” she said. The EU sanctions will go into effect when they are published. “I would add that, if the 12 points are really fulfilled substantially, we will be the first to lift the new sanctions,” Merkel added. “They are not an end in themselves — they are only ever imposed if they are unavoidable.” AP