"We think that one thing is very important: [It is] that the basic principles of the European world order were violated,” Merkel said.
“The annexation of the Crimea is not just a kind of annexation, it is a clear violation of what allows us to live and coexist peacefully after World War II. It is [about] the inviolability of borders and respect for territorial integrity.”
Merkel noted that Russia was supposed to have acted as a guarantor of Ukrainian independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity under the Budapest Memorandum.
"After Russia has violated the agreement, what country will be ready to follow Ukraine and to abandon nuclear weapons?" Merkel said.
"A country will see what has happened in Ukraine, and it will think that the renunciation of nuclear weapons would make it weaker and more vulnerable to the attack of this kind.”
Merkel said sanctions against Russia were inevitable and they will be in effect until their reasons are eliminated.
"We will not abandon efforts to resolve the situation in Ukraine. The Minsk Protocol is the basis for agreement," Merkel said.
