Merkel offers Russia free-trade agreement

[senheiser]

Merkel offers Russia free-trade agreement - The Local

Published: 23 Jan 2015 08:23
Germany would be prepared to negotiate a free-trade agreement between the European Union and Russia as a way out of the deadlocked Ukraine conflict, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday.

Merkel told the World Economic Forum in Davos that Germany was "ready" to open talks about "possibilities for co-operating in a collective trade area", the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported.

But she said that a pre-condition for the plan, suggested by Russian President Vladimir Putin several years ago but ignored by European leaders, would be a comprehensive peace agreement in Ukraine.

Economy Minister and Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel added that EU members should already be discussing what they could offer Russia in the event of peace.

"The next step is a free-trade zone", he told the Davos summit.

"We need to offer Russia a way out".

Both Merkel and Gabriel followed Putin by evoking the idea of a free-trade zone stretching "from Lisbon to Vladivostok", a phrase first used by Putin in 2010.

But both agreed that the free-trade zone could only be a long-term objective until Russia fulfilled its half of the September Minsk accords, in which Kiev, Moscow and Ukrainian pro-Russian separatists agreed to a ceasefire, which has so far failed to hold.

Merkel renewed her condemnation of Russia's annexing of the Crimea, saying that they had made economic sanctions against Russia unavoidable.

"Unfortunately we're not yet there" at the point when sanctions could be removed, she said.

@MarkusS @flamer84

 

[BDforever]

world's politics is really funny

 

[salarsikander]

Merkel offers Russia free-trade agreement - The Local

Published: 23 Jan 2015 08:23
Germany would be prepared to negotiate a free-trade agreement between the European Union and Russia as a way out of the deadlocked Ukraine conflict, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday.

Merkel told the World Economic Forum in Davos that Germany was "ready" to open talks about "possibilities for co-operating in a collective trade area", the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported.

But she said that a pre-condition for the plan, suggested by Russian President Vladimir Putin several years ago but ignored by European leaders, would be a comprehensive peace agreement in Ukraine.

Economy Minister and Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel added that EU members should already be discussing what they could offer Russia in the event of peace.

"The next step is a free-trade zone", he told the Davos summit.

"We need to offer Russia a way out".

Both Merkel and Gabriel followed Putin by evoking the idea of a free-trade zone stretching "from Lisbon to Vladivostok", a phrase first used by Putin in 2010.

But both agreed that the free-trade zone could only be a long-term objective until Russia fulfilled its half of the September Minsk accords, in which Kiev, Moscow and Ukrainian pro-Russian separatists agreed to a ceasefire, which has so far failed to hold.

Merkel renewed her condemnation of Russia's annexing of the Crimea, saying that they had made economic sanctions against Russia unavoidable.

"Unfortunately we're not yet there" at the point when sanctions could be removed, she said.

@MarkusS

Hi,

Wonder what This German troll has to say here

 

[MarkusS]

Merkel offers Russia free-trade agreement - The Local

Published: 23 Jan 2015 08:23
Germany would be prepared to negotiate a free-trade agreement between the European Union and Russia as a way out of the deadlocked Ukraine conflict, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday.

Merkel told the World Economic Forum in Davos that Germany was "ready" to open talks about "possibilities for co-operating in a collective trade area", the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported.

But she said that a pre-condition for the plan, suggested by Russian President Vladimir Putin several years ago but ignored by European leaders, would be a comprehensive peace agreement in Ukraine.

Economy Minister and Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel added that EU members should already be discussing what they could offer Russia in the event of peace.

"The next step is a free-trade zone", he told the Davos summit.

"We need to offer Russia a way out".

Both Merkel and Gabriel followed Putin by evoking the idea of a free-trade zone stretching "from Lisbon to Vladivostok", a phrase first used by Putin in 2010.

But both agreed that the free-trade zone could only be a long-term objective until Russia fulfilled its half of the September Minsk accords, in which Kiev, Moscow and Ukrainian pro-Russian separatists agreed to a ceasefire, which has so far failed to hold.

Merkel renewed her condemnation of Russia's annexing of the Crimea, saying that they had made economic sanctions against Russia unavoidable.

"Unfortunately we're not yet there" at the point when sanctions could be removed, she said.

@MarkusS @flamer84

Why do you tag me?

 

[Steve781]

War between the EU and Russia is extremely unlikely given the average age of our populations. War is for youthful countries.

 

[Hindustani78]

19 January 2015

"On November 13, 2014, representatives of Ukraine and Russia signed a working document providing a clear timetable for the implementation of the provisions of the Minsk memorandum, in particular, in the part of ensuring the bilateral ceasefire, the withdrawal of heavy weapons and the return to the line of demarcation," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on its website on Sunday night.

"Russia has withdrawn its signature from this document. Today, Ukraine has once again appealed to the Russian Federation with a proposal to sign a schedule of the implementation of the Minsk agreements in the same wording as they were signed on November 13 and ensure a ceasefire starting from January 19," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry added.

 

[ArsalanKhan21]

Germany is selling off Ukraine's territorial integrity. The Russian Bear is still hungry after chewing off parts Georgia and Ukraine. It needs to be boxed.

 

[Hindustani78]

Germany is working for a peaceful solution based on Minsk agreements.

EU tells Moscow to 'assume its responsibility' in Ukraine war - Yahoo News

Brussels (AFP) - The European Union called Friday on Moscow to "assume its responsibility" in ending the separatist war in Ukraine.

"Time is running out in eastern Ukraine where the escalation of fighting has caused far too many civilian as well as military casualties," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement.

Mogherini said the deaths of eight civilians in the shelling of a bus in rebel-held Donetsk illustrated the urgency of halting the violence.

Hours before her statement, the pro-Russian separatists announced they would follow up their capture of Donetsk's ruined international airport from Ukrainian government forces with a wider offensive to win more territory.

"Those responsible for the recent escalation must now show that they are serious about their commitment to a political settlement," Mogherini said, calling for withdrawal of heavy weapons from the frontlines.

"We call notably on Russia to fully assume its responsibility. Public statements distorting the reality on the ground, inciting to hatred and further violence will not lead to the badly needed de-escalation," she said.

Russia denies arming or fighting alongside the rebels in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian and Western governments say Moscow backs the rebels with direct military aid, an accusation supported by multiple sightings of sophisticated Russian-issue military hardware, usually unmarked.

Mogherini called for implementation of the September Minsk accord that ordered withdrawal of heavy weapons and a truce. She also lashed out at the parading of wounded Ukrainian prisoners in Donetsk as a violation of humanitarian law.

She did not, however, mention the future of current EU sanctions imposed against Russia over its policies in eastern Ukraine and earlier annexation of the country's Crimea province.