"We are ready for a constructive dialogue [with Russia] ... we must be ready to make more frequent attempts to achieve mutual understanding, to stop the spiral of escalation, as it was temporarily possible with the help of the Normandy process. But this should not be misunderstood as the new German 'Eastern policy'. 'Eastern policy' in a united Europe can only be a European 'Eastern policy'. It is based on the principles of European law and peaceful order, the observance of which was undertaken by Russia and which were grossly violated in connection with the annexation of Crimea", Scholz told lawmakers.
"We are watching with great concern these days the security situation at the Russian-Ukrainian border. We will hold intensive consultations in this regard at the EU Summit and today's Eastern Partnership Summit … Any violation of territorial integrity will have a high cost, and we will speak here with our European partners and transatlantic allies with one voice", Scholz added.