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The new German government today gave the clearest indications so far that it would discuss the closure of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline if Russia invades Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz issued his strongest warning to date at a press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, where he was under pressure if the Nord Stream 2 punishment was part of “measures “economic hardships” that Germany said Russia would face if it attacked Ukraine, writes Politico.
“It is clear that this will be a high price and that all this will have to be discussed if there is to be a military intervention against Ukraine,” Scholz said.
Scholz said his government “stands by all aspects” of the deal that its predecessor Angela Merkel reached with US President Joe Biden last year, under which Germany promised to take action nationally and force the EU to to sanction whether Russia uses energy as a weapon or to carry out further acts of aggression against Ukraine.
The German chancellor’s remarks come at a time when Russia has deployed about 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border, raising fears of invasion. A series of meetings last week between Russia, the United States and NATO allies failed to ease tensions.
“We expect Russia to de-escalate the situation. “This could include, for example, the reduction of troops on the Ukrainian border,” Scholz said. He also hinted at readiness to talk to Moscow, saying “they are ready for a serious dialogue with Russia on security issues in Europe.”
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