German minister warns Russia against moves on Ukraine

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on Moscow on Thursday to step back from escalating the situation with Ukraine, warning that the country faced a range of sanctions if tensions escalate further.

"We urgently demand that Russia takes steps towards deescalation. Any further aggressive behaviour or aggression would result in serious consequences," Baerbock told a joint news conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"This is nothing less than a question of maintaining peace in Europe. For us it is existential."