Merkel says sanctions against Russia over Ukraine must be extended

French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel make a statement to the media at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany. (Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch)

BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday sanctions against Russia over the crisis in eastern Ukraine would have to be extended because of a lack of progress in implementing the Minsk cease-fire agreement.
“It will be necessary to extend the sanctions against Russia again — although we would have wished for better progress in the implementation of this process,” Merkel told reporters before talks with French President Francois Hollande in Berlin.