German Chancellor Olaf Scholz put the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline on ice on Tuesday after Russia formally recognized two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine.
"We must reassess the situation, in particular regarding Nord Stream 2," Scholz said at a news conference with his Irish counterpart, adding that the economy ministry would look again at the certification process given Russia's actions.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky urged Ukraine's allies at a briefing on Tuesday not to wait for a further escalation to impose sanctions, which should include shutting down the Russian-led Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Zelensky also said Ukraine may break off diplomatic relations with Russia after Moscow's decision to recognize two regions of eastern Ukraine as independent. Speaking alongside his Estonian counterpart, Zelensky said he was weighing a request from his foreign ministry to break off ties.
Zelensky played down the prospect of a large-scale conflict with Russia but said he was prepared to introduce martial law if that happened.
