German chancellor speaking in a podcast. Reuters reporting

  • Ukraine must tackle corruption and roll back the influence of oligarchs, and then German businesses will invest if the right conditions are in place

Praising Ukraine for being on a "courageous path" Merkel said the country still had a lot to do to attract business and needed to put the right legal framework in place.

"The dominant role of the oligarchs needs to be reversed, people need to be given transparency, corruption must be fought"

Merkel added that she did not see Russia's supply of natural gas to Ukraine as being threatened

Ukrainian PM Yatseniuk visits Berlin next Friday to meet with Merkel and both leaders will attend a economic conference at which investment opportunities will be explored

Meanwhile, I'm heading out as football and the mighty Shrimpers beckon once more

Have a great week-end out there one and all and thanks, as ever, for your on-going support and feedback

Merkel - An invitation or ultimatum to Ukraine ?