Germany is committed to a constructive relationship with Russia, but the time for the lifting of sanctions, imposed by the EU against Moscow doesn’t come. This was stated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, during her speech on Thursday in Vienna at the event dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the German-Austrian chamber of Commerce.

Merkel acknowledged that “a number of companies suffers from sanctions against Russia”. “Therefore, we want to achieve political framework conditions that would allow to lift the sanctions”, – said the Chancellor.
However, she said, “serious violations of international law and precarious situation” in Eastern Ukraine, the time for the abolition of restrictive measures, “unfortunately doesn’t come”.
Both Germany and Austria strive to “partnership with Russia,” she continued. “We need to solve so many international problems that I would like to return to constructive cooperation. For example, the agreement with Iran, we saw that it is possible to achieve unity with Russia”, – said Merkel. She expressed hope that Moscow “will play an important role” in resolving the conflict in Syria.
“So we don’t want to act on the principle of “either-or”, Ukraine or Russia, but we want the free development of Ukraine and good relations with Russia”, – added the head of the German government.