More Russian sanctions in the works: German minister

According to German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, further sanctions targeting Russia are still to come in light of the country's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, reported dpa.

The latest package of sanctions would not be the last, Habeck said in Berlin on Thursday after meeting his French counterpart, Bruno Le Maire.

They had discussed further potential sanctions to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin from continuing the "barbaric" war in Ukraine, Habeck said, without giving details.

The ministers had also agreed on a daily exchange between Germany and France on gas supply, according to Habeck.

On Wednesday, the minister had activated an early emergency alert over the country's gas supply. Western countries including Germany fear that Putin might halt gas deliveries in retaliation for the sanctions imposed on Russia.

Putin on Thursday announced that Western states must open accounts with Gazprombank in order to pay for and continue receiving Russian gas with effect from April 1.

It was not immediately clear whether under the arrangement Western countries would be paying in roubles or euros, however.

Regarding Putin's earlier demand that gas deliveries are to be paid in roubles, Habeck said that it was crucial that contracts be honoured. "It is important for us not to give the signal: We will allow ourselves to be blackmailed by Putin," the minister said, adding that the Russian president's attempt to divide the West had failed.

Le Maire also said gas contracts must be strictly respected.

Earlier, Habeck met Vladimir Klitschko, the brother of Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who had travelled to Berlin on Thursday to garner support for Ukraine.