EU making Russia sanctions plan with UK, U.S.

As tensions rise on Ukraine's border with Russia, western powers are weighing up what sanctions they could impose on Moscow.

On Monday (December 13), the EU's top diplomat said the bloc was working with the U.S. and UK on a shortlist of measures.

Josep Borrell says the west is in "deterrent mode", and is planning measures that would impose a high economic cost.

"We are not going to take any decisions today about sanctions, concrete decisions about sanctions. We are studying together with the U.S. and the UK what they could be, when and how, in a coordinated manner."

EU officials told Reuters that sanctions could include travel bans and asset freezes for powerful members of Russia's political elite.

There could also be a ban on all banking and financial links with Russia.

Then there is the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

The link between Russia and Germany was always controversial, with Washington saying it could make Europe's gas supplies too dependent on Moscow.

Now the pipeline could be a target for sanctions, while natural gas contracts could also be cancelled.

However, envoys say such steps would only be considered if Russia attempts a full military invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow denies having any such plan, and accuses NATO and Ukraine of stoking tensions.