Merkel: --not just about Ukraine, it's Moldova, Georgia, Serbia, Balkans---"

The German leader warned that regional conflicts like the one still raging in eastern Ukraine "can very quickly broaden to major fires."
"It's not only about Ukraine. It's about Moldova, it's about Georgia, if it continues like this ... one has to wonder about Serbia, one has to wonder about the countries in the western Balkans," Merkel said.
Merkel insisted that European Union and U.S. sanctions against Russia would remain in place "as far and long as they are needed."
In the rebel-held stronghold of Donetsk, officials said Monday that one civilian had been killed and eight injured in fighting over the weekend. On the Ukrainian side, six troops were reported killed and nine wounded in clashes Sunday, and unidentified attackers killed three traffic police.
The pound of artillery fire could be heard Monday in the rebel-held eastern city of Donetsk and residents lined up outside banks to withdraw their dwindling cash.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends a forum to deliver a speech at the Lowy Institute for Intern …

 

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Tough stances from Putin, Merkel over Ukraine

Merkel is not fooled by Putin and so she says to Keep the Sanctions in place and possibly add to them as needed.