“The EU and Russia should reach an agreement that would lift sanctions and normalize relations between the parties,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated in her recent message.

“We all want good relations with Russia,” Merkel said noting that she personally welcomed the lifting of sanctions.

However, the Chancellor stressed that before taking such decisions, she would like to see reaching a compromisе between the conflicting parties in the Donbass.

“We also want the Ukrainians to regain access to their own border. That is why I expect that all parties will compromise,” Merkel added.

Earlier, the German media published the interview, in which the Foreign Minister of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier criticized NATO exercises in Eastern Europe and spoke in favor of dialogue with Russia, noting that “we should not continue to aggravate the situation with loud saber-rattling and war hysteria.