German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday called for dialogue with Russia over the Ukrainian crisis during an address to the German parliament.

Merkel's speech came ahead of direct talks with Russian and Ukrainian leaders at the Asia-Europe Meeting that opened on Thursday in the Italian city of Milan.

Addressing the crisis in Ukraine in front of Bundestag lawmakers, Merkel said she would speak face to face with her Russian and Ukrainian counterparts about the situation in Ukraine and ways to move forward in constructive fashion while in Milan.

"Sanctions, however necessary, do not preclude dialogue," Merkel said, with regard to European Union economic restrictions currently in place against Moscow. "Our efforts to seek dialogue with Russia continue unabated," she added.

The chancellor also called on Russia to do more to help resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

During the two-day key meeting of European and Asian leaders, Merkel is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Talks are also expected to be held on the gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine, according to media reports. Endit

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