German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday that the European Union is considering further financial sanctions against Russian individuals because of the crisis in Ukraine.
“The present situation is not satisfying,’’ Merkel told reporters at the G20 leaders summit in Brisbane. “At present the listing of further persons is on the agenda.’’
Merkel is due to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the summit on Friday, but said she did not expect any “sudden, qualitative changes’’ following the talks.
The G20 summit, scheduled to focus on economic issues, has turned into a showdown between Western leaders and Putin, following fresh reports of Russian troops pouring into eastern Ukraine.
Russia has denied sending any military forces to help separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine launch a new offensive in a conflict that has killed more than 4,000 people.