Susan Heavey and Sabine Siebold

BERLIN/WASHINGTON – Germany indicated Tuesday it would stop the Nord Stream 2 pipeline coming from Russia if Moscow invades Ukraine. Western countries rallied behind Kyiv in protest at a Russian troop buildup which has fueled fears of war.

After talks with Russia fell apart last week, U.S. Secretary Of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv Wednesday and will then travel to Berlin to meet with German, British, and French officials to intensify diplomacy.

Britain’s Foreign Minister Annalena Barbock visited Ukraine this week, amid rising fears about conflict. She also met with the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Moscow, Kyiv, to discuss ways to lessen tensions.

Baerbock said that Moscow would be hurt if it attacked its neighbour. Chancellor Olaf Scholz indicated that Berlin could respond to this threat by cutting off the Nord Stream 2 pipeline that brings gas into Germany.

Scholz answered questions about the pipeline in his meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Sloltenberg. He stated that “clearly there will be high prices to pay” and that everyone will need to discuss it should there be military intervention in Ukraine.

Scholz stated previously that Germany was open to the possibility of sanctions in the case of a Russian invasion and that every option would be considered. Nord Stream 2 is included in this, although it was not approved to open yet.

Sergei Lavrov from Russia, the Russian foreign minister said Tuesday after meeting Baerbock that the European pipeline will increase energy security if it is opened and that any attempt to politicise it would lead to a counterproductive outcome.

Russia claims it has no plans to attack Ukraine. However, Russia says it can take unspecified military action against its demand – which includes a commitment by NATO not to admit Kyiv.

Tens of thousands Russian troops are currently near Ukraine’s border. Moscow sent soldiers and hardware to Belarus last week as part of preparations for military drills that were to be held with its close ally. This has caused concern among the West.

Tensions in Russia have contributed to a fall of the Russian ruble against the U.S. Dollar and Russian stock prices have declined.

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Stoltenberg stated that he invited NATO allies as well Russia to further meetings at NATO-Russia Council in Berlin to explore ways of improving the security situation. This was after a disappointing first round in two years.

He said that NATO’s allies were ready to make concrete suggestions on ways to lower risks and increase transparency in military activities, as well as how to decrease space and cyber threats.

“We’re also ready to restart the exchanges of briefings about exercises and nuclear policy.”

Although NATO members are rallying around Ukraine, former Soviet republics do not belong to NATO and have no obligations under treaties to protect it.

U.S. President Joe Biden has decided not to send troops to Ukraine in order fight Russian soldiers.

The U.S. State Department announced that Blinken would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zilenskiy on Wednesday to discuss the progress made in last week’s negotiations with Russia.

“The United States is not interested in conflict. A senior official from the U.S. State Department told reporters that they want peace.

According to the official, Putin is willing to do everything in his power “to deescalate the situation so that the United States and Russia can have a normal relationship.”

Blinken spoke to Lavrov Tuesday, and they urged for de-escalation. The State Department stated separately. A senior official stated that the calls were made by the two men and they decided to meet up in person.

While visiting Ukraine Wednesday afternoon, Melanie Joly (Canadian Foreign Minister) stated Ottawa will make the right decision on whether to supply military hardware for Ukraine at the appropriate moment.