Germany, France ready for more sanctions if Russia continues military aggression

BERLIN (AA) - Germany and France on Wednesday warned Russia that it would face more sanctions if it continues further military aggression against Ukraine.

“The EU’s sanctions package can be tightened any time,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told a joint news conference with her French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, following their meeting in Berlin.

“Sanctions would evolve gradually, now we are implementing the first set of sanctions, but as we have made it clear, we will take further hard measures, when it becomes necessary,” she said.

Baerbeck heavily criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for attempting “to turn back the wheel of history” by his military move in eastern Ukraine, by recognizing separatist regions and bringing Europe to the brink of war.

French Foreign Minister Le Drian underlined unity among EU member states, and said the EU’s first set of sanctions against Russia could follow with further measures if Moscow continues with military aggression.

“Nearly 180,000 Russian troops are posted around Ukraine’s borders. Despite statements that troops will be withdrawn after the military exercises, this has not happened. Anything is possible, even the worst scenarios,” he said.

Both Le Drian and Baerbock reiterated their preference for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, and called on Moscow to step back from military threats, and return to the negotiating table.

“We would like to prevent a war in Europe. During our previous phone calls with our Russian colleague (Sergey) Lavrov we had clearly said this: It’s up to you, to come to the table. This is still the case today,” Baerbock said.

Putin signed a decree on Monday recognizing Ukraine’s separatist regions Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states.

The Russian parliament on Tuesday unanimously ratified treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with the breakaway regions.

The US and its allies have condemned the move, and US President Joe Biden accused Russia of trying to create pretexts to justify a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.