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The European Union is preparing several responses to any further moves by Russia to destabilize Ukraine, but the bloc does not know exactly what Moscow's plans are, Reuters reported, citing an EU official.
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NATO-Russia tension 323
The official said the US-Russia talks had not yielded much, but dialogue with President Vladimir Putin was still open through the leaders of Germany and France.
The spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the tougher the EU's sanctions against Russia in the event of an invasion, the greater the blow to the bloc if Moscow responded to the sanctions.
He said 40 per cent of EU gas came from Russia, and the bloc is currently in talks with Norway and Qatar, as well as other countries, to increase energy supplies if necessary.
He also said the EU was currently investigating how quickly Russia could transfer its energy supplies to China if it cut off supplies to Europe.
The EU is also preparing for a wave of refugees if Russia invades Ukraine.
The source said the EU expects to decide on further macroeconomic support for Ukraine and that Kiev wants more political support.
According to him, there is a division of opinions in the EU.
Some people believe that the EU should impose severe sanctions on Russia to discourage it, but others believe that this would be an escalation of tensions and that the bloc should react only if necessary, BTA notes.
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NATO-Russia tensions
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