BERLIN - The German government has put on hold a company's deal to deliver a field exercise simulator to the Russian military.
The Economy Ministry said in a statement Wednesday the export by Rheinmetall AG of the simulator is "not justifiable in the current situation." It says the auto parts and defence equipment company will tell officials when exports are scheduled so the German government can take the "necessary steps."
Germany says Russia's actions in Crimea violate international law and has joined other European Union countries in imposing sanctions on Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a deal Tuesday to annex the Crimean Peninsula, which voted to break away from Ukraine on Sunday.