BRUSSELS: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday warned Russia its trade with the European Union was "far more important" than the other way around, as Europe readied a response to a possible attack on Ukraine.
The warning came as the West and Russia escalated rhetoric over Ukraine, as tens of thousands of Russian troops massed on the Ukrainian border.
"If the situation deteriorates, if there are any further attacks on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, we will respond with massive economic and financial sanctions," von der Leyen told a virtual session of the World Economic Forum in a videolink speech.
"The European Union is by far Russia's biggest trading partner and by far the largest investor. And yes, this trading relationship is important to us. But it is far more important to Russia," she said.
"We hope an attack won't happen. But if it does, we are prepared."
The situation is fanning fears that the relatively low-level conflict in Ukraine, part of which Russia annexed in 2014 and where Russia-backed forces continue to exchange fire with Ukrainian troops, could blow up into a far bigger confrontation.
Europe threatens 'massive' sanctions if Russia attacks Ukraine
The European Union has not publicly said what economic sanctions it would impose in retaliation for a further Russian invasion.
But it has made clear it would work in lockstep with the United States to exact some form of harsh punishment on Moscow if Russian troops rolled into Ukraine.
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