Reuters: Europe threatens 'massive' sanctions if Russia attacks Ukraine
BERLIN, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The European Union threatened "massive" economic sanctions if Moscow attacks Ukraine, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken rallied allies on Thursday ahead of last-ditch crisis talks with Russia aimed at preventing war.
Western countries are seeking to present a united diplomatic front before Blinken meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva on Friday, widely seen as one of the last chances to stop Russia from launching a new attack.
Blinken visited Kyiv on Wednesday and met German, French and British ministers on Thursday in Berlin.
On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden gave his clearest indication yet that he believes a Russian attack is likely.
"My guess is he will move in," Biden said of Russian President Vladimir Putin. "He has to do something."
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Update: Top EU diplomat accuses Russia of not taking Europe seriously as tensions grow on Ukrainian border (CNBC)
WNU Editor: Rhetoric aside, I still believe Europe is reluctant to impose "massive" sanctions because of this .... European Governments Are Worried That Russian Sanctions May Hurt Them (Bloomberg).