German Chancellor Angela Merkel has suggested that President Vladimir Putin has called peace in Europe into question through Russia's annexation of Crimea.

Speaking after the G20 Summit in Brisbane, she declared that the West had to act decisively or Putin’s power politics would pose a threat to other countries too.

She condemned Russia’s annexation of Crimea in March, stressing that it contradicted international law, and the ongoing impact of Russia in the region.

Merkel, who had held lengthy talks with Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit, claimed that the President could also apply such politics against countries like Moldova, Serbia or Georgia.

The German Chancellor, as cited by Der Spiegel, argued that the crisis in Ukraine was not a regional matter but an issue which was cause for concern for everyone.

Merkel underscored that the West had to act united in the dispute with the Russian President over the country’s policy towards Ukraine.

She said that it was very important for Europe and the US to apply a common approach to the matter.

She ruled out military intervention, saying that every possible option had to be explored in the attempt to achieve a diplomatic solution to the problem.

She suggested that it was the right time to use the huge economic clout of Europe, adding that economic sanctions also brought certain disadvantages.

Der Spiegel cites classified documents of the German Federal Foreign Office which indicate that the German government is alarmed by an aggressive anti-West policy of Russia on the Balkans.

According to the weekly news magazine, Russia is trying to tighten its grip around Serbia through close military cooperation and deliveries of Russian gas.

According to Der Spiegel, Russia’s approach towards Bosnia and Herzegovina is similar to that to Serbia.

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