Crimea crisis: Merkel warns Russia faces escalating sanctions
Source : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Russia will face escalating EU sanctions if it does not take steps to ease the crisis over Crimea.
Mrs Merkel, speaking ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, said the current political situation also means the G8 effectively no longer exists.
Tensions remains high in Crimea after its leaders signed a deal with Moscow to split from Ukraine and join Russia.
Pro-Russian forces took over at least two military bases there on Wednesday.
Ukraine's navy commander, Serhiy Hayduk was detained, but has now been released.
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image of Gavin Hewitt
Analysis
Gavin Hewitt
Europe editor
Over dinner Europe's leaders will discuss their next moves. A few more Russian names may be added to the sanctions hat. That is the easy part. The names are already drawn up.
The question is whether, this time, they will go after people closer to President Putin. That is less certain.
Read more from Gavin
Can EU reach consensus on Russia?
Crimean leaders signed a treaty with Moscow on Tuesday to absorb the peninsula - an autonomous republic in southern Ukraine - into Russia, following a referendum which the West and Kiev say was illegal.
Russia's lower house will vote on ratifying the Crimea treaty on Thursday, and the upper house on Friday. The measure is expected to sail through.
In a resolution on Thursday, Ukraine's parliament said the country would "never and under no circumstances end the fight to free Crimea of occupants, no matter how difficult and long it is".
'Political consequences'
Western leaders have denounced Russia's actions in Crimea as a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and a breach of international law.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Russia will face escalating EU sanctions if it does not take steps to ease the crisis over Crimea.
Mrs Merkel, speaking ahead of an EU summit in Brussels, said the current political situation also means the G8 effectively no longer exists.
Tensions remains high in Crimea after its leaders signed a deal with Moscow to split from Ukraine and join Russia.
Pro-Russian forces took over at least two military bases there on Wednesday.
Ukraine's navy commander, Serhiy Hayduk was detained, but has now been released.
Continue reading the main story
image of Gavin Hewitt
Analysis
Gavin Hewitt
Europe editor
Over dinner Europe's leaders will discuss their next moves. A few more Russian names may be added to the sanctions hat. That is the easy part. The names are already drawn up.
The question is whether, this time, they will go after people closer to President Putin. That is less certain.
Read more from Gavin
Can EU reach consensus on Russia?
Crimean leaders signed a treaty with Moscow on Tuesday to absorb the peninsula - an autonomous republic in southern Ukraine - into Russia, following a referendum which the West and Kiev say was illegal.
Russia's lower house will vote on ratifying the Crimea treaty on Thursday, and the upper house on Friday. The measure is expected to sail through.
In a resolution on Thursday, Ukraine's parliament said the country would "never and under no circumstances end the fight to free Crimea of occupants, no matter how difficult and long it is".
'Political consequences'
Western leaders have denounced Russia's actions in Crimea as a violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and a breach of international law.