The sanctions had been discussed and prepared for a long time, said the Chancellor. Of course, there will still be discussions in the responsible committees. “But my impression is that this is exactly what will happen now: A very concentrated, very strong package that relates to this development.” The already existing preparations for the event that there are further even worse developments are well advanced.
Scholz said: “Instead of many words: I am actually confident that it will be possible to convert all the work into a decision.” He also thinks it is right to proceed in stages with a measure that relates to Putin’s current decisions, ” which is robust, which is massive and which is similar between the EU and the United States of America”. And with measures that would be prepared in the event “that more happens”. But you want to prevent this at all costs, said Scholz. “Because that’s the goal of all things: that it doesn’t come to that.”