In a switching conference on the Ukraine crisis, the western allies once again emphasized their determination to react to a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine with rapid and far-reaching sanctions.
From German government circles it was said on Friday that the situation was assessed as “very, very serious” by the participants from the European Union and NATO.
They want to continue trying to persuade Russia to de-escalate with diplomatic efforts.
"We must prevent a war in Europe," wrote government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit on Twitter.
US President Joe Biden discussed the Ukraine conflict with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other allies on Friday afternoon.
Also invited were EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President Charles Michel, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Poland's President Andrzej Duda, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, and Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The White House said the call was to address "common concerns about Russia's continued military build-up" on the Ukrainian border.
The aim is to continue to exchange views on the "coordination of diplomacy and deterrence".
Great Britain, the Netherlands and Japan are asking citizens to leave the country
After the USA, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Japan are also calling on their compatriots to leave Ukraine.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo, it has issued a corresponding request.
According to this, around 150 Japanese citizens are currently in Ukraine.
The Dutch radio station BNR reports the request to leave the country, citing the country's ambassador to Ukraine.
In addition, the government decided to move the diplomatic representation from Kiev to Lviv in western Ukraine.
Great Britain also urged its citizens to leave the country as soon as possible.
"We urge British nationals in Ukraine to leave the country via commercial routes as long as they are available," the Foreign Office said in London on Friday evening.
The government also strongly advises against all travel to the former Soviet republic.
The deployment of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border has increased the risk of military action, the statement said.
That is why other employees of the embassy would also be withdrawn, it said.
Earlier, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said during a visit to Moscow that Russian troop strength on the Ukrainian border would allow an immediate attack on the neighboring country.