European Commission President: We Will Target Russia's Weakness if It Invades Ukraine

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated that Western countries are prepared to target Russia's "point of weakness" if it invades Ukraine. In a statement to "ARD TV," the European Commission President explained, "We are talking about imposing new economic sanctions," indicating that this means Russia would be "practically isolated from international financial markets." She said, "We will respond in the strongest way we can, through economic and financial sanctions, as the economy is Russia's weakest point." At the same time, the European Commission President declined to answer whether she was considering disconnecting Russia from the "SWIFT" financial system. Von der Leyen also mentioned that economic restrictions would affect "all manufactured goods" that Moscow needs to modernize and diversify its economy, noting that these goods "cannot be replaced."