Russia will face serious consequences if it decides to launch a military incursion into Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned on Sunday, ahead of a trip to the US to meet President Joe Biden at the White House.
Speaking to German channel ARD, Scholz said that current Western efforts are aimed at ensuring there is no need to impose economic measures against Russia, but that a range of ideas had been discussed.
“We have very concrete preparations with our allies in the EU and the US. We are in close talks about the possible sanctions that we can take,” Scholz said. “These will be very far-reaching, very tough sanctions, if that becomes necessary. Although, yes, at the moment, our whole effort is to prevent it coming to that.”
When asked if this could include measures on Nord Stream 2, the controversial gas pipeline that connects Russia and Germany, Scholz refused to be drawn either way.