No security in Europe without Russia: Merkel

Russia is key to ensuring European security, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday as she marked a quarter century of reconciliation with neighbouring Poland.

"We are aware that Europe's security can only be ensured, in the medium and long term, with Russia," Merkel said at a ceremony with Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz in the southern Polish town of Krzyzowa.

"The sanctions are not a goal in themselves. They are applied only when necessary," Merkel said, in reference to sanctions on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.

"We want to proceed with dialogue with Russia."

The statement came amid the worst tensions between the West and Russia since the Cold War, sparked by Moscow's role in the crisis in Ukraine, Poland's eastern neighbour.

 the United Nations yesterday said almost 1,000 people have been killed in Ukraine since a ceasefire came into effect in September, an average of 13 people a day.

As the report was published, international monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission in the former Soviet state said one of their teams had been shot at by a man in uniform.

While the OSCE described Wednesday's incident as "isolated", it highlights continuing high tensions in eastern Ukraine.

US Vice President Joe Biden is due in Kiev later yesterday ahead of Friday's anniversary of the start of the Maidan protests against the former pro-Kremlin regime which eventually led to the conflict in the east.