Germany has closed a pipeline made to transport gas from Russia to Europe. This is because President Vladimir Putin said two regions in eastern Ukraine were independent countries. He said the Donetsk and the Lugansk People's Republics were separate nations. Germany's leader said: "We must reassess the situation." He warned that Europe faced difficulties, and that, "80 years after the end of the Second World War, we might see a new war in…Europe".

The gas pipeline is under the Baltic Sea. Closing it is one of the sanctions Western nations have made against Russia. The U.K. announced sanctions after Mr Putin said troops could enter eastern Ukraine. The U.K. will take actions against Russian banks and billionaires. The USA said it would announce sanctions soon. Russia said it was not planning to invade Ukraine. It said: "If there is a threat, then we will provide assistance."