INTERNATIONAL: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said on Thursday,February 24, western sanctions would ensure Russia paid a "bitter price" for its attack on Ukraine and make it clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin had made a "grave mistake".

"Putin is bringing suffering and destruction to his direct neighbours. He violates the sovereignty and the borders of Ukraine.," Scholz has said. He has called upon Putin to end the military attack and "bloodshed" immediately and to withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine.

"He is endangering the lives of countless innocent people in Ukraine, a brother people of Russia. Finally, he is endangering the peace order on our continent. There is no justification for any of this. This is Putin's war," Scholz has continued. He has also said he called upon a meeting of the German security cabinet to further discuss the situation. As a next step, Scholz has said, there would be more sanctions against Russia in cooperation with NATO and the European Union.

Scholz has also mentioned that he will also advocate for a united response of G7 countries, during a video call with fellow heads of states on Thursday afternoon. Germany is currently the head of G7