Berlin Holds Protest Against War in Ukraine; EU Prepares for Possible Russian Halt of Gas Supplies

US may impose sanctions "for what Russia has already done".

On January 30, Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine held a protest in Berlin against the war and called on the German government to restrain Russia's aggression. 

"On January 30, Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine held a joint rally in Berlin to once again demonstrate to the world that Ukrainians oppose war, and to call on the federal government to use its influence on the Russian Federation to stop the new Russian aggression against our state," said a statement from the Embassy of Ukraine in Germany. 

EU Ready for Possible Halt of Gas Supplies

The European Union is ready to cooperate with the United States, Qatar and Azerbaijan on gas supplies if Russia decides to reduce or halt supplies to the EU. 

Josep Borrell
head of European diplomacy

We are ready in case diplomacy fails, and we are considering all options. This includes increasing our resilience, including by working with partners such as the United States, Qatar and Azerbaijan on gas supplies should Russia decide to reduce or halt them. 

He said the EU has made progress in preparing highly effective response measures in case of further Russian aggression against Ukraine, "which will cause serious damage to the Russian economy and financial system". 

"We are also considering export control measures that would have a longer-term effect, as they restrict Russia's access to products necessary for it to pursue its strategic ambitions," Borrell noted. 

According to him, the EU's diplomatic presence in Kyiv remains unchanged: "Today we are experiencing the most dangerous moment since the end of the Cold War. At the same time, we must avoid further escalating the spiral of escalation and follow President Zelensky's calls to avoid any "panic". 

US May Impose Sanctions "for What Russia Has Already Done"

In the US Senate, lawmakers allow for some sanctions against Russia to be imposed before a possible direct invasion of Ukraine, for violations that have already been committed. 

Bob Menendez
chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

There are some sanctions that could indeed be imposed in advance because of what Russia has already done. Cyberattacks on Ukraine, false flag operations, and attempts to destabilize the Ukrainian government from within are just some examples of what sanctions could be imposed now. But then there will be devastating sanctions that will ultimately crush the Russian economy, and lethal weapons assistance that we are going to send. This means Putin must decide how many body bags of Russian sons he is prepared to send back to Russia.

According to him, these sanctions will be imposed later if Russia invades. Some sanctions will be imposed in advance for what has already been done, but lethal weapons assistance will be sent in any case. 

Russia "Will Not Stop at Ukraine"

Ukraine's Ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova, said that in the event of a Russian invasion, Vladimir Putin "will not stop at Ukraine", and also disputed reports of tension between the US and Ukraine. 

Oksana Markarova
Ambassador of Ukraine to the US

The reason Putin attacked us is not that he wants Ukraine or only Ukraine. The reason he attacked us is that we chose democracy and have Euro-Atlantic and European aspirations. Therefore, this is an attack on democracy, and I believe no one is safe if Ukraine is attacked. If Russia continues its offensive against Ukraine, it will certainly not stop at Ukraine. Therefore, it is in the interest of Europe and the entire democratic world to help us defend ourselves and show that international rule of law still works. 

According to her, there is no friction between the administration of US President Joe Biden and the Ukrainian leadership: "We can have some discussions, and we may have different opinions. But the United States is our strategic partner and, I would even say, strategic friend number one. Our relations, especially over the last year, have been at the highest level, I would say, in 30 years".