20/03/2014 15:36
Crimea crisis: Merkel warns Russia faces escalating sanctions
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Russia will face escalating EU sanctions if it does not take steps to ease the crisis over Crimea, the BBC reported.
Mrs Merkel, speaking ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, said the current political situation also meant the G8 effectively no longer exists.
Tensions remain high in Crimea after its leaders signed a deal with Moscow to split from Ukraine and join Russia.
Pro-Russian forces took over at least two military bases there on Wednesday.
Ukraine's navy commander, Serhiy Hayduk was detained, but has now been released.
Speaking in Berlin, Mrs Merkel said the EU would "make clear that we are ready at any time" to increase sanctions against Russia "if there is a worsening of the situation."
The EU would also, she said, "draw consequences for the political relations between the EU and Russia, as well as for relations between the G7 and Russia."
The G8 - comprising seven of the world's leading industrialised nations, and Russia - is scheduled to hold a summit in the southern Russian city of Sochi in June.
But Mrs Merkel said it was "obvious, as long as the political context for such an important format like the G8 does not apply, as is the case at the moment, the G8 doesn't exist anymore, neither does the summit nor the format as such."