GERMANY

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the European Union would consider imposing further sanctions on Russia at a summit this week if there's a major violation of the cease-fire in eastern Ukraine.

Merkel, speaking at a news conference with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Berlin on Monday, said a truce agreed to Feb. 12 in Minsk, Belarus, still isn't being adhered to even if the situation in eastern Ukraine has become quieter. "We'll have to discuss what happens if it's not fulfilled," she said. Merkel, who led the EU in slapping sanctions on Russia after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine a year ago, said it must not be forgotten that the Kremlin broke international law with its land grab. Poroshenko said Russia's actions show the post-1945 system is no longer working. Leaders of the 28 EU member states will meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to discuss Ukraine. - Bloomberg