BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union warned Russia on Friday that it could face penalties if it invaded Ukraine, as Germany’s new chancellor known as for talks to resolve tensions after Moscow amassed troops on the border with its southwestern neighbour.
“Aggression wants to return with a price tag, which is why we’ll talk these factors forward of time to Russia,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen informed a joint information convention with Olaf Scholz.
Ukraine accuses Russia of getting ready for a attainable large-scale army offensive. The Kremlin denies planning any assault.
Asked sanctions on Moscow may embody shutting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that can carry gasoline to Europe, von der Leyen stated that, generally, vitality ought to by no means be used to exert strain and the vitality safety of Europe and its neighbours needs to be secured.
Scholz declined to reply the query on the Russian-German pipeline, saying that whereas it was clear that the EU and others would react if there was an invasion of Ukraine, talks to forestall such an end result have been additionally vital.
Earlier within the day throughout a go to to France, Scholz known as for a revival of the “Normandy format” talks between Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine to resolve the disaster.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned throughout his assembly with Scholz’s in regards to the danger of self-fulfilling prophecies following a U.S. intelligence evaluation that a multi-front offensive on Ukraine by Russia may occur as early as subsequent yr.
Von der Leyen stated the 27-nation EU was able to step up financial and monetary sanctions in opposition to Russia, alongside with associate international locations, ought to it invade Ukraine.
“We need a good relationship with Russia, but it surely relies upon before everything on the best way during which Russia behaves. Russia is taking a threatening stance in direction of its neighbours and that undermines Europe’s safety,” she stated.
(Writing by John Chalmers; enhancing by John Stonestreet)
