BERLIN, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Germany's Angela Merkel and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said on Wednesday Europe would be ready to impose new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine if necessary, though the chancellor hoped the current ceasefire would eventually yield positive results.

"We must do everything we can to make this glimmer of hope a reality," she told a news conference with the Swedish premier, referring to the Minsk ceasefire agreement. "It could be a first step even if it is being implemented very slowly."

Merkel added that it sent a very important signal to Russia that the European Union had managed to maintain a united stance. (Reporting by Stephen Brown, Madeline Chambers and Andreas Rinke)

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