UPDATE - Germany halts Nord Stream 2 pipeline after Russia’s move against Ukraine

UPDATES WITH MORE COMMENTS FROM SCHOLZ , EDITS THROUGHOUT

BERLIN (AA) – Germany on Tuesday halted the certification of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in response to Russia’s widely condemned move against Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Russia’s recognition of two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent states is a clear violation of international law.

“The situation has fundamentally changed, we need to make a reassessment, also with regard to Nord Stream 2,” he told reporters, adding that they have taken administrative steps today to halt the approval process.

“There can be no certification of this pipeline now, and without this certification the Nord Stream 2 cannot begin operating. The division at the Federal Ministry of Economics responsible for this matter will make a reassessment about our gas supply security, in consideration of what has changed in recent days,” he said.

The controversial project, which was designed to carry Russian gas directly to Germany, was long criticized by the US administration and Eastern European countries.

Scholz said the situation remains serious, as Russia deployed large numbers of troops around Ukraine, sufficient enough to invade the whole country, and “nobody knows” what would happen next.

“It is now important to launch first set of sanctions in order to prevent an escalation and a disaster,” he stressed.

“A war is looming in Eastern Europe almost 80 years after the end of the Second World War. It is our duty to avert such a disaster,” he added.

Scholz renewed his call for Russia to step back from its threats towards Ukraine, and seek a peaceful solution to the current crisis.

He underlined that Germany wants to continue four-party Normandy format talks with Russia, Ukraine, and France to keep diplomacy alive, and avert a war.

“This is still important. We have it as a platform. President (Emmanuel) Macron and I discussed this very carefully, and we want to continue using this platform,” he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the recognition of Luhansk and Donetsk’s independence in a speech on Monday, which was interpreted by Western officials as a speech to the Russian people to justify a war.

Later, he ordered the deployment of troops to “maintain peace” in Ukraine’s separatist regions.