/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/J47ZFVN5XZJOJP44YAD2HZB4LY.jpg)
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian attends a joint news conference with Dutch counterpart Wopke Hoekstra (not pictured) in Paris, France January 28, 2022. Thomas Coex/Pool via REUTERS
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
PARIS, Feb 14 (Reuters) - France's foreign minister said on Monday that everything was in place for Russian forces to invade quickly in Ukraine, adding that Europe was ready to impose massive sanctions if it happened.
"If the question is are there elements in place so that there is a major offensive by Russian forces in Ukraine, then yes it's true. It's possible and quickly," Jean-Yves Le Drian told France 5 TV.
He said the assessment was shared by Paris and its allies, although he said nothing indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had made that decision.
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
"It's blowing hot and cold," he said, suggesting that Russia was leaving the door open for dialogue.
Two European diplomatic sources said the United States had told its allies last Friday that one scenario was that Moscow could launch an offensive this Wednesday.
When asked whether sanctions were ready should there by a Russian attack, Le Drian said that was the case and they would be massive even if they would also have a boomerang effect on Europe.
The minister said it was important to pursue dialogue to avoid a disastrous conflict that would hurt all sides.
(This story was refiled to change pace to place in 2nd paragraph.)
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
Reporting by John Irish, editing by GV De Clercq and Howard Goller
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
World - Latest - Google News
February 15, 2022 at 03:11AM
https://ift.tt/neH2PKq
Everything in place for massive Russian attack on Ukraine, France says - Reuters
World - Latest - Google News
https://ift.tt/iaWSJuw
https://ift.tt/AocLR5Y
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Everything in place for massive Russian attack on Ukraine, France says - Reuters"
Post a Comment