URGENT: Russia's Medvedev warns against excessive protectionism during crisis

BERLIN, March 31 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's president said on Tuesday that protectionist measures during the ongoing global financial crisis must be temporary, and warned that excessive protectionism could trigger trade wars.

"Primitive, senseless protectionism that could lead to the closure of markets, trade wars, and the emergence of high walls between countries must be prevented during this period," Dmitry Medvedev told a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel ahead of the summit of G20 leaders to tackle the crisis.