Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel supports the establishment of a single economic zone between the EU and Russia. She stated the aforementioned at the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Congress of Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Lenta reports, citing Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

''I am for Russia's gradual approaching to the European economic area, so that we finally have a common economic zone from Vladivostok to Lisbon,'' the Chancellor said.

She also confirmed that a civil war is going on in eastern Ukraine with the support of Russia, in connection with which the anti-Russian sanctions were imposed. Merkel also added that these restrictions can be removed only after the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.

According to the Chancellor, now Germany and France strive to achieve genuine ceasefire in the southeastern Ukraine, as well as holding of local elections there. The adoption of the law on elections and appointment of their dates will become prerequisites for granting special status to Lugansk and Donetsk, Merkel added.

Apart from this, Ukraine must get an access to its border with Russia ''If this is done, we will immediately cancel the sanctions,'' stated the Chancellor.