Ukraine 'slipping out of control', Germany warns
The crisis in eastern Ukraine is "slipping out of control" and needs to be reined in to avoid a military clash with Russia, Germany has warned.
Wrong path'
On Friday, Mr Steinmeier warned that the "already dangerous situation" in Ukraine had now entered "a whole new dimension".
"Our hopes that direct talks between [Ukraine and Russia] would contribute to de-escalating the situation have been disappointed," he said in Milan.
"The border infringements have intensified, and raised concerns that the situation is slipping out of control."
His sentiments were echoed by other foreign ministers:
France's Laurent Fabius spoke of "unacceptable" intervention by Russian troops in eastern Ukraine
Sweden's Carl Bildt said a clear message had to be sent to Russia: "We have to be aware of what we are facing: we are in the midst of the second Russian invasion of Ukraine within a year"
The Netherlands' Frans Timmermans said the presence of Russian soldiers in eastern Ukraine could not "remain unanswered"
Russia could face new restrictions after a summit of the European Union's 28 heads of state in Brussels on Saturday.
The EU and the US have already imposed sanctions against dozens of senior Russian officials, separatist commanders and Russian firms accused of undermining Ukrainian sovereignty.
In late July, the EU also blacklisted some key economic sectors, prompting Russia to retaliate by banning food imports.
Russia's energy minister has warned that the Ukrainian crisis could lead to a disruption of gas supplies to European countries this winter.
Nato membership
Earlier on Friday, Nato held an emergency meeting after releasing satellite images it said showed columns of Russian armed forces inside Ukrainian territory.
Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called on Russia to "take immediate and verifiable steps towards de-escalation".
Mr Rasmussen also indicated Nato could consider Ukraine's application to join the alliance, shortly after Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk announced he was putting Ukraine on course for Nato membership.
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