German economy minister rejects tougher sanctions on Russia

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said on Sunday he does not believe tighter sanctions against Russia will help resolve the Ukraine crisis even though Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday the European Union is considering further sanctions.

Gabriel, Germany's Vice Chancellor and the leader of the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) that shares power with Merkel's conservatives, told German TV network ARD that he did not believe sanctions will move Russia President Vladimir Putin.