Merkel Says Russia Risks Harm to Self With 19th-Century Ways

German Chancellor Angela Merkel likened Russia’s effort to annex Crimea to the imperialism of past centuries and said that President Vladimir Putin risks “massive economic and political harm” to his country.

Addressing lower-house lawmakers in Berlin today, Merkel combined calls for Russia and Ukraine to hold talks with threats of strengthened European Union sanctions as early as next week if Putin doesn’t “contribute to detente” before the separatist referendum in Crimea scheduled March 16.