03:24Mandatory Credit: EBS
The European Union stated that it would ‘tighten sanctions’ on Russia if it invaded Ukraine, but said "energy must never be used as a means of exerting pressure" when asked about Nordstream 2, during talks with Germany’s new Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday in Brussels.
"We expect Russia to de-escalate and to refrain from any aggression against its neighbours and to respect the sovereign rights of nations, otherwise the European Union is ready not only to tighten the existing sanctions, but also to take new, tangible measures in other areas of the economy and finances," said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission.
She stressed however that the EU wanted a 'good relationship' with Russia and said that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would not be used to put pressure on Russia.
"In general terms, the important thing is that energy must never be used as a means of exerting pressure and that the energy security of Europe and its neighbours must be guaranteed," she said.
Belgium: EU 'looking to tighten sanctions' on Russia but rules out Nordstream pressure - VdL in meeting with Scholz
The European Union stated that it would ‘tighten sanctions’ on Russia if it invaded Ukraine, but said "energy must never be used as a means of exerting pressure" when asked about Nordstream 2, during talks with Germany’s new Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday in Brussels.
"We expect Russia to de-escalate and to refrain from any aggression against its neighbours and to respect the sovereign rights of nations, otherwise the European Union is ready not only to tighten the existing sanctions, but also to take new, tangible measures in other areas of the economy and finances," said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission.
She stressed however that the EU wanted a 'good relationship' with Russia and said that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would not be used to put pressure on Russia.
"In general terms, the important thing is that energy must never be used as a means of exerting pressure and that the energy security of Europe and its neighbours must be guaranteed," she said.
Mandatory Credit: EBS
The European Union stated that it would ‘tighten sanctions’ on Russia if it invaded Ukraine, but said "energy must never be used as a means of exerting pressure" when asked about Nordstream 2, during talks with Germany’s new Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday in Brussels.
"We expect Russia to de-escalate and to refrain from any aggression against its neighbours and to respect the sovereign rights of nations, otherwise the European Union is ready not only to tighten the existing sanctions, but also to take new, tangible measures in other areas of the economy and finances," said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission.
She stressed however that the EU wanted a 'good relationship' with Russia and said that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would not be used to put pressure on Russia.
"In general terms, the important thing is that energy must never be used as a means of exerting pressure and that the energy security of Europe and its neighbours must be guaranteed," she said.