Scholz calls for de-escalation in Ukraine crisis

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron urgently called for de-escalation in Ukraine crisis on Tuesday night before a bilateral meeting in Berlin.

Scholz said everything should be "done w to ensure that situation develops differently than is sometimes feared", amid Russian troop buildup along Russian-Ukraine border.

“We refore also expect clear steps from Russia that will contribute to a de-escalation of situation," Scholz said.

He ded that "military aggression would have serious consequences".

Moscow has denied it is planning an assault, but it has massed an estimated 100,000 troops near Ukraine in recent weeks and is holding military drills at multiple locations in Russia.

That has led United States and its NATO allies to rush to prepare for a possible war.

Several rounds of high stakes diplomacy have failed to yield any breakthroughs, and tensions escalated furr this week.

Scholz said that fact talks are happening "in close coordination with US and our allies is really a good development in a difficult situation".

"Let's hope that our joint great efforts will le to progress we so long for actually being achieved," Scholz said.

NATO said it was bolstering its deterrence in Baltic Sea region, and U.S. ordered 8,500 troops on higher alert for potential deployment to Europe as part of an alliance “response force" if necessary.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said he is prepared to send troops to protect NATO allies in Europe.

IM: AP