German Economy Minister Robert Habeck predicted that his country's economy would be affected if Russia invaded Ukraine, and America was trying to confront the possible rise in energy costs due to this crisis, while Britain said that the West would prevent Russian companies from obtaining the dollar and other hard currencies.

The German Economy Minister estimated that his country's economy would also be exposed to serious economic repercussions in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said his country feared that Russia would respond to possible Western sanctions in the event of a war with Ukraine by cutting gas supplies, a move that could disrupt Europe's largest economy.

Lindner told the British Financial Times on Sunday that Russia had always been a reliable supplier of natural gas to Germany, even at the height of the Cold War, but that reality could change if Russia invaded Ukraine and the West punished Moscow with harsh sanctions.

The German newspaper "Handelsblatt" also quoted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as saying that it must be clearly stated that the sanctions will affect our economy strongly as well.

The politician affiliated with the Green Party added that if Russia escalates the conflict, the European Union will respond in coordination with its partners with severe economic sanctions, and added, "We are ready for that."

The West fears that the Kremlin may plan to invade Ukraine, given the large buildup of Russian forces near the Ukrainian border, while Russia denies its intention to do so.

But there is another possibility that Russia's goal in the mobilization is to raise fears to push the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries to make concessions regarding the new security guarantees demanded by Moscow.

Europe depends on Russian gas by 40%.


 deterrent penalties

In the United States of America, Vice President Kamala Harris said that there is likely to be a strong impact on energy prices for American consumers due to the tension between Russia and Ukraine, and added that the US government is working to mitigate this impact.

And Harris said - during her remarks in Munich, where she is attending a security summit - that the United States is taking "specific and appropriate steps" to prepare for any possible costs.

Harris told reporters that the United States will reassess the aid promised to Ukraine in the coming days.

The United States has already provided $1 billion in loan guarantees and $650 million in military equipment and services to Ukraine over the past year.

Harris added that the purpose of imposing sanctions is deterrence, in response to the statements of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday about the feasibility of imposing non-invasion sanctions.

She said the sanctions set by the United States and its allies would deter Russian President Vladimir Putin.


Dollar weapons and hard currencies

In Britain, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the BBC that the United States and Britain would work to prevent Russian companies from obtaining US dollars and sterling if the Kremlin ordered an invasion of Ukraine.

"The plan that we're seeing is about something that could really be the biggest war in Europe since 1945 in terms of sheer scale," he added.

Johnson added that sanctions against Russia in the event of an invasion would go much further than previously announced.

The BBC quoted him as saying that Britain and the United States would prevent Russian companies "from dealing in the pound and the dollar", a move he said would have a significant impact.

Britain - the center of global currency trading - has threatened to prevent Russian companies from raising capital on the London Stock Exchange and revealing ownership of companies and real estate if Russia invades Ukraine.

Given Russia's position as one of the world's largest exporters of oil, gas and minerals - which are priced and settled mostly in US dollars - denying Russian companies access to dollar markets could have a devastating effect.