Merkel Says Sanctions Unavoidable Should Russia Refuse to Budge

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said a round of European Union sanctions against Russia are “unavoidable” if President Vladimir Putin’s government fails to take steps to defuse the crisis over Ukraine.

Merkel, meeting in Warsaw today with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, reiterated her March 17 deadline for Russia to accept her government’s overtures for a diplomatic “contact group” to resolve the crisis. EU foreign ministers are prepared to draft a series of measures including asset freezes and visa curbs at the beginning of next week, she said.