German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Scholz has urged Europe and the United States to think carefully when considering sanctions against Russia for any aggression against Ukraine in a crisis pitting Berlin’s main gas supplier against its biggest security allies.
“Prudence dictates choosing measures that will have the greatest effect on those who violate the jointly agreed principles,” Scholz was quoted as saying by the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
“At the same time, we have to consider the consequences this will have for us,” Scholz added, saying nobody should think there was a measure available without consequences for Germany.
According to a pre-release of the interview, Scholz also countered any impression that the United States and Europe could not agree on a joint set of sanctions. “In the circle of allies, we agree on possible measures. It’s good. We have to be able to act in case of an emergency,” he said.
