British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday threatened Russia with “severe economic sanctions from the United Kingdom and its allies” if it invades Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the European Union threatened to tighten its sanctions and take “unprecedented measures” against Moscow, as its escalation against Kiev continued.
“If Russia is reckless to the point of invading the sovereign territory of Ukraine, there will be a tough package of economic sanctions that we will impose with our allies,” Johnson said in a speech before the British parliament.
He pointed out that NATO forces will be mobilized in a certain strategy, stressing that “any such step would be disastrous, not only for Russia and Ukraine, but for the whole world.”
For her part, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the European Union is ready to intensify its sanctions and take “unprecedented measures” against Russia, which will have serious consequences, if Moscow continues to escalate.
Von der Leyen indicated to the European Parliament that Russia, in turn, is seeking to intimidate the reformist government of Moldova by cutting off gas supplies.
She described this threat as a “blatant attempt” against the country in eastern Europe between Ukraine and Romania, especially in light of the rise in energy prices worldwide.
Last November, the European Union expressed its “concern” about Russia’s military activities near the Ukrainian border, after Washington demanded clarifications from Moscow.
“The union has a duty to protect our societies and democracies from geopolitical power games,” Van der Leyen added, referring to an attempt to intimidate the reformist government of Moldova.
Von der Leyen pointed out that the European Union seeks to establish good relations with Russia, but the matter depends first on the latter’s behavior, especially after the military buildup on the Ukrainian border.
She stated that the bloc worked closely with the United States to develop options that would outweigh the impact of the current sanctions targeting the financial, energy, defense and dual-use goods sectors in Russia.
“Our response to any further transgression may come in the form of a strong escalation and expansion of the existing sanctions regime,” she told European lawmakers.
In turn, the new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told his country’s Bundestag, on Wednesday, that Russia will pay a “heavy price” if it invades Ukraine.
He added: “Let me, if everyone does not understand this yet, to repeat what former Chancellor Angela Merkel said, that every violation of territorial integrity will have a heavy price,” expressing his “great concern” about the situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border.
