Dialogue Possible Despite Sanctions

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the sanctions against Russia over Ukraine have not put a stop to negotiations with Moscow authorities.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the sanctions against Russia over Ukraine have not put a stop to negotiations with Moscow authorities.

This is reported by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.

The statement from Chancellor Merkel came earlier today, as she spoke at the Bundestag ahead of an EU-Asia summit in Milan, Italy, where she is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

- Sanctions are an important element of our efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine… At the same time, sanctions do not in any way preclude dialogue, Merkel was quoted saying according to the spanish news agency EFE.

The European Union and the United States - amongst others - has introduced several rounds of economic sanctions against Russia over the last months. In August, Russia responded with a ban on food imports from the U.S., EU, Norway, Canada and Australia.

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